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Sub folders missing from All Programs list in Win XP

I have a client with Win XP SP3 installed on a Delllaptop. He had a rootkit virus and some nasty malware which I was successful in removing. Now, however, All the sub folders on his All Programs list show as empty. The only Program items that show contents are the programs I have just installed (Malwarebytes, Spybot, etc., I don't believe I've ever seen this before so I'm asking for a bit of help. Thanks in advance.

jwhite273

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

saastech

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spiderwilk007

You could try doing a full repair using the windows disk.

Jim White

ASKER

Rather than putting him through the pain of a rebuild, I'll try the repair install. I was hoping for a genie in a bottle, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Thanks for the tips. I won't be there again until tomorrow. I'll let you know how I made out.
Thanks,
Jwhite

rpggamergirl

Try using rogueKiller option 6
There's an article here:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Virus_and_Spyware/Anti-Virus/A_4922-Rogue-Killer-What-a-great-name.html

OR: Run this tool to remove the hidden flags on files and folders and see if that helps.
http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/unhide.exe

rpggamergirl

RogueKiller option 6 (Shortcut HJFix), fixes, when shortcuts and files/folder of desktop/startup menu/etc have disappeared.

Jim White

ASKER

Thanks so much rpggamergirl. I'll try them tomorrow. I hope they work and they'll be a welcome addition to my tool kit.

jwhite273

Jim White

ASKER

Hi All,
I tried the unhide program this morning. It did not do the trick. My All Programs multi-folder paths still look like: Microsoft Office>Microsoft Office tools><empty>
Single level folders are <folder name><empty>.

Any ideas?
Thanks,
jwhite273

Jim White

ASKER

Hi all,
To add insult to injury, some of the program folders are empty too. I wish he had a backup.......

jwhite273

SOLUTION

rpggamergirl

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Jim White

ASKER

Ok, I'll give it a shot. I removed the laptop back to my shop so I can work on it in peace.

SOLUTION

Jim White

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Jim White

ASKER

Excellent suggestions all, but did not resolve issues. We ended up doing a complete reformat and upgrade to Win 7 and put a backup solution in place to prevent this issue from happening again. Thank you all who contributed.