local settings folder missing

Hi wmchisholm,

Go to Tools->Folder Options->View->and check the Show Hidden Folders option. (All this is in Windows Explorer window)

Regards,
Zyloch

I've done this but it doesn't work...  I've notice this happens a lot with computers that have been attacked by spyware.  I need another solution

yes..  I've tried it all.  Nothing "obvious"...

I'll give you the same advice as in your other thread. Try a repair install.

oh..same guy.  I'm positive it's a virus or spyware, but I can't seem to locate it.  I've tried all of the programs, but can't come up with anything.

I'm thinking I removed the virus and/or spyware, but it changed a system setting or something.  I just don't know where to fix the "conection" for .lnk files..  

Not sure if this would pertain, but check out this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q172/0/53.asp&NoWebContent=1

Thanks, but I tried this before I even posted.. the solution didn't work. :(  

Have you tried a repair install though?

I put the CD in, but I can't seem to figure out how to run a repair install.. can you instruct?

While I don't want to just point you to a link, these can describe it much better than I can:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Be sure to change the boot order in BIOS

After that, follow these instructions:  

Windows XP Home
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/installxpcdrepair/index.htm

Or

Windows XP Pro
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/index.htm

System Restore may also do the job for you.  Take the system back to before the problem started and then run a full system virus/spyware scan.

Stupid question, but have you tried going to View --> List and then Arrange Icons by name?

I had a user which couldn't see anything in the recycle bin, even when he knew stuff was in there and it turned out that the icons were being hidden outside the view area.

Just a thought-  Are you logged on as an Administrator?  I find that if I try to go local settings while logged in on my kids limited account- it doesn't show either.
Good luck - Andy

Local Settings is a hidden system folder.

In Windows Explorer

Tools->Folder Options
On the view tab

look for
Hide protected Operating Systems Files
and uncheck it
also
select show hidden files and folders.

Windows XP likes to deal with everything on your computer with account
access permissions, and if you do not have access to that folder with
the account you are logged in with it might not show that folder
via the common "view" solutions. you can try start/run/command
navigate your way to the root folder of that account and then
typing in attrib -s -h /s /d    make sure you are logged in as an
account with administrator access

otherwise the view, folder options etc should work right away

in XP home
users are created as administrators by default.

Youd do not want to use attrib to change default settings for system files.

If I am not wrong, the system automatically sets the attributes to what there default settings are...

My suggetion should work just fine.

If I have two accounts on my computer, even both flagged with administrator access, I will get access denied
when attempting to access the other account's folder.  The Default User is the administrator when you first
install XP.  There is also the option to create limited and non-administrator accounts under home.  Changing
the settings of an account folder via the attrib command (or any files really) doesn't really have any effect
on the files themselves, it simply flags them as non-system, non-hidden, etc.   The only thing that you could
do is delete them by accident since you can see and access them now but most people know better than do
just go around deleting stuff.  I've found that windows XP is finicky sometimes and although your suggestion
should work, for some reason sometimes it just doesn't.  

tdrehfal  I think we may be wandering of the quetion topic.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;293834&Product=winxp

Attrib was a great tool during the DOS days...
not any more if you know you simply open windows explorer
go to tools
select options
view tab
select view hidden files and folders
uncheck the "hide protected operating system files (recommended)"

Doing that enables you to see all the files and folders on the partition (hidden, system, whatever)

Attrib sitll comes in handy some times, when windows explorer cannot change file and folder rights.

The following article explains about permissions on files and folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418&Product=winxp#3

Thanks everyone... it was a really "Bad" virus... uhhggg!