Missing files and folders from My Documents

I have an interesting problem that is occurring with my files and folders in My Documents.

First, all my files with names starting with M to Z are not listed in the file list. So at this point, I don't know if they have been deleted or are simply not listed. I am led to believe they are still there.

Second, the folders My Pictures and My Music are not listed, but they are still there, since I can still access them from the shortcuts within the Start button. The folder path is correct: D:\Documents and Settings\my name\My Documents, but the folders aren't listed in My Documents.

Third, if I try to save a file (a picture, for instance) into My Documents and give it a name that starts with A to L, the file is listed correctly. If I save the exact file with a name that starts with M to Z, the file is saved but not listed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Still have not been able to resolve this issue.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

If you use a cmd prompt can you view your files?

 

I used the cmd prompt and the files from l - z are not there. However, My Pictures and My Music are not listed and I know they are still there, since I am able to access them via the Start buttom.

 

In My Documents try Tools>Folder Options>View tab and check the box "Show hidden Files" do your files appear?

 

Nah, that was the first thing I did. They don't show.

The weirdest thing is, if I try to save a file (a picture, for instance) into My Documents and give it a name that starts with A to L, the file is listed correctly. If I save the exact file with a name that starts with M to Z, the file is saved but not listed.

 

Have you unchecked "Hide protected Operating System Files". Probably have but I'm trying to figure out why you can create them but not see them.

 

Did that too. Nothing.

 

The only reason I changed it to a D: is because I used a separate HD for my documents.

That is correct. I right-clicked and changed the location. It worked for a whole year, and now, all of a sudden, this problem! :confused

 

I don't have any solution I just want to rule out any thing malicious.

Try right-click My Documents>Properties>Find Target>Right Click the actual My Documents folder>properties and make note of Size: (the second longer more exact number) and also number of files.

Then save a file to it with a name starting with m-z and check the properties again. Does the folder size change, the number of files?

 

Saved a picture of Angelina Jolie as 'zangelina.jpg' :drool; number of files did not change, nor the size of the folder......

Saved same picture as 'angelina.jpg' and file size and number changed.

WTH??

 

Something's up.

Try Start>Search All files
name= gelina
when modified>specify>today
See what shows up.

IF zangelina doesn't show up do the same with no name but modified today
Then sort the results by date by clicking on the "Date Modified" heading in the results window so that you can see the ones in the last 1/2 hour. Is there anything that could be the zangelina pic in a temp folder? Or is it just not there? [you saved the "a"gelina file at about the same time so there should be two close together]

 

Both showed up, both in My Documents, last modified within 4 minutes of each other.

 

HOLY CRAP! I don't know if it was the fact that I used the Search to find the ' gelina' files, or the fact that I am running a thorough virus scan on the D:/ drive, but the documents are now listed!!!!

Thanks for all who helped. I will chalk this one up to one of those times when there REALLY was a 'computer glitch'.

 

I don't understand how the size didn't change when you saved zangelina.jpg?

***I'm just curious...

In Start>run>cmd
cd My Documents
attrib

Do you get any files/folders from m-z in the list?

 

Good enough for me. Have a good night.