Windows explorer right pane doesn't show the entire C: drive

[bob7206]

My windows explorer default is set to show my C: drive expanded. In
the left pane, the entire drive contents shows - in the right pane,
the listing starts with "documents and settings"; the first third or
so of folders on the drive aren't listed, the rest show normally. This
is happening whether the view is set to icons or list (Mine defaults
to list). The sub folders open normally when clicked on in the left
pane. This started happening about a month ago - prior to that all of
drive C: contents showed in both panes. Anyone have any idea what
caused this and what I can do to fix it? I'm using a Gateway laptop,
running XP Home, fully updated, SP3 except for internet explorer (ver
6) which I don't use. I'm using Firefox, version 3.5.7

Thanks in advance - Bob

 

[Tim Meddick]

Try opening "Folder Options" on the "Tools" menu in Explorer, and under the "View"
tab, select "Show hidden files and folders".

Then go to the place in Explorer where you thing there should be more folders and see
if they have "re-appeared".

If so - then it has been caused by an accidental setting of the "hidden" attribute on
these folders.

To sort it out - right-click on each affected folder and choose "Properties" and then
"de-select" (uncheck) the box marked "Hidden".

You can then go back to "Folder Options" and re-hide files and folders again, if you
like.

If your folders do not show up after visiting "Folder Options" and making hidden
folders visible, then I'm afraid it must have some other cause.

But do try this check first.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[bob7206]

I have placed a link to windows explorer on my desktop, so it's the
same as going to programs and clicking on it - it makes no difference
how I open it - it does the same thing. I long ago set windows
explorer to open at the C: drive, rather than "my computer". Also, the
files I'm talking about, are NOT any of the hidden files, in any case
I've long ago set it not to hide any from my view, and just rechecked
it. The C: drive is highlighted in the left pane - the first 16
folders do not show on the right pane - all show on the left. I've had
and solved many minor problems over the years with all the various
microsoft OS's - this one has me stumped big time. Also, this just
started happening in the past few weeks, and I haven't done any
twiddling with any of the view or folder options settings. Thanks -
Bob

 

[bob7206]

I have placed a link to windows explorer on my desktop, so it's the
same as going to programs and clicking on it - it makes no difference
how I open it - it does the same thing. I long ago set windows
explorer to open at the C: drive, rather than "my computer". Also, the
files I'm talking about, are NOT any of the hidden files, in any case
I've long ago set it not to hide any from my view, and just rechecked
it. The C: drive is highlighted in the left pane - the first 16
folders do not show on the right pane - all show on the left. I've had
and solved many minor problems over the years with all the various
microsoft OS's - this one has me stumped big time. Also, this just
started happening in the past few weeks, and I haven't done any
twiddling with any of the view or folder options settings.  Thanks -
Bob

I forgot to mention, that none of the folders have the "hidden"
attribute set - Bob

 

[bob7206]

OK - now I'm embarrassed. I was just very carefully inspecting the
listed contents on the right pane, and the missing folders are there,
just not in the expected alpha-numerical sequence. I just now changed
the "Icon sort by" to "name" and all is back to normal. Sorry to have
gotten this started. Thanks a ton for your attempts to help - Bob