Hidden Files

[Vince]

Ok here is a strange one, everyone that has a new Compaq or HP is going to
run into this. I returned the machine I got for my boss because of this and
now have a credit to get another. The problem is they all are the same by
those companies and the store only carries HP and Compaq.

Here is the problem. These machines for some reason hide the contents of the
C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files. Even if you check every option
available to show files from folder options. Setting to show contents of
system folders, Show hidden files and folders and not hiding protected
operating system files still does not allow you to see the files.

I know the files exist because when I go to the folder from another machine
through the network they are visible, likewise if I use the machine that can
not see the files to look in the folder on another machine the are not
visible.

I know this sounds like a small problem, however with out seeing those files
you are unable to look and see what Active X controls you actually have and
what version. This can be a problem if you need to diagnose.

If anyone has seen this or knows what to do please help.

Thanks
Vince

 

[David Candy]

I imagine that you only see your own files no matter where you look.

 

[Lou]

Not sure if this is what you are looking for try
internet options on general tab - settings - view objects
(downloaded active X) Hope this helps

 

[Vince]

Lou That is where the problem started. That shows empty. That button shows
the contents of the folder listed in the first message.

I know there are files in there because I downloaded and ran the windows
update engine, Shockwave and Flash Player. I even went to pages that require
shockwave to run and they work. So why the files do not show I have no idea.

This is the wierdest thing I ever saw. Even Compaq could not help. They are
baffeled.

 

[David Candy]

The things you see are stored here
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Lou That is where the problem started. That shows empty. That button
shows the contents of the folder listed in the first message.

I know there are files in there because I downloaded and ran the
windows update engine, Shockwave and Flash Player. I even went to
pages that require shockwave to run and they work. So why the files
do not show I have no idea.

This is the wierdest thing I ever saw. Even Compaq could not help.
They are baffeled.

Vince

Not sure why the ActiveX Controls are not being displayed there?

Try viewing these files, including the super hidden files from a command
prompt.

Go to Start/Run and type cmd and press OK.
In the command prompt window, type CD\ and press ENTER
At C:\> type: cd\windows\downloaded program files and press ENTER
At C:\windows\downloaded program files, type: dir /a/s and press ENTER

This should show a list of all the files in that folder.
--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://www.mvps.org

 

[Vince]

That did not work either. That was one of the steps taken when talking to
Compaq for 7 hours trying to fix this.

 

[David Candy]

IT IS NOT A FILE VIEWER. It shows noone the files in the folder but the programs installed. Most programs will have at least two files (the program and installer/uninstaller).

Look at that registry key.

 

[Vince]

Will have to figure that out later. Since the machine is gone and I have
other problems to handle 3 other machines for friends that got hit by
lightning.

Just thought it was strange that the machines from compaq do this but no
other windows machine I ever saw does this.

Vince
IT IS NOT A FILE VIEWER. It shows noone the files in the folder but the
programs installed. Most programs will have at least two files (the program
and installer/uninstaller).

Look at that registry key.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Here is the problem. These machines for some reason hide the contents of the
C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files. Even if you check every option
available to show files from folder options. Setting to show contents of
system folders, Show hidden files and folders and not hiding protected
operating system files still does not allow you to see the files.

That is a 'special folder', as set by its desktop.ini file, that will
result in Explorer giving a quite different view on it. As far as I
can see Explorer just shows .osd files (On Screen Display) as
descriptive of the purpose of various collections of 'real' files. So
if the folder has files, but no .osd ones, you will see nothing.