Can't see hidden/system files

[Will]

My W2kSP4 system has gone splat. It's "lost" my carefully honed User
profile and created a default one (Administrator.MYCOMPUTERNAME). This
is more or less useless for everyday work - for example, my OE doesn't
work because of a missing identity etc.

So, I'm more or less resigned to a major recovery programme and want to
set about copying as much data and system settings as I can get onto
the second HDD. However, I can't seem to see any of my OE files
(*.WAB, *.DBX etc).

I'm a software developer, so I'm happy to uncheck the folder option
"Hide protected operating system files". This is where it gets truly
weird.

I open Explorer, click on "Tools" -> "Folder Options" -> "View". I
make the changes "Show hidden files", and uncheck "Hide protected
operating system files" (naturally answering "Yes" to the question "Are
you sure you want to display these files?")

Click "Apply", then "Ok".

Nothing happens. The changes aren't made. No new files are visible.
If I re-open "Tools" -> "Folder Options" -> "View" the default values
remain.

Anyone any ideas what is going on?

Will.

 

[Jerold Schulman]

See tip 4631 » How do I recovery a lost local user profile?
in the 'Tips & Tricks' at http://www.jsifaq.com

My W2kSP4 system has gone splat. It's "lost" my carefully honed User
profile and created a default one (Administrator.MYCOMPUTERNAME). This
is more or less useless for everyday work - for example, my OE doesn't
work because of a missing identity etc.

So, I'm more or less resigned to a major recovery programme and want to
set about copying as much data and system settings as I can get onto
the second HDD. However, I can't seem to see any of my OE files
(*.WAB, *.DBX etc).

I'm a software developer, so I'm happy to uncheck the folder option
"Hide protected operating system files". This is where it gets truly
weird.

I open Explorer, click on "Tools" -> "Folder Options" -> "View". I
make the changes "Show hidden files", and uncheck "Hide protected
operating system files" (naturally answering "Yes" to the question "Are
you sure you want to display these files?")

Click "Apply", then "Ok".

Nothing happens. The changes aren't made. No new files are visible.
If I re-open "Tools" -> "Folder Options" -> "View" the default values
remain.

Anyone any ideas what is going on?

Will.

Jerold Schulman
Windows Server MVP
JSI, Inc.
http://www.jsiinc.com
http://www.jsifaq.com