Missing windows directory

[Hodsocks]

Here is what seems to be a strange query. I recently cleared out a lot of adware and virus's from a pc and now I find that the windows directory cannot be located.
The pc works happily (Windows ME) but whenever I try to find the windows folder it is missing. I have looked on the c drive, carried out a search, opened windows explorer but it is nowhere to be seen.
If I carry out a scan with something like Ad-aware it happily scans the C:\windows directory but if I go to find it it isn't there. Its not hidden because I have set it show all folders and files.
Has anyone any suggestions as to why it is not showing up?

 

[dopefisher]

try searching for some windows files, such as explorer.exe, svchost.exe, etc and see if it helps

 

[Hodsocks]

I did a search on files like system and system32 and they cannot be found, but again as before if I do a virus or spyware scan they are found in the usual place on the c drive.
I dont understand how they can be found during a scan but can't be seen in the file systems or during a search.

 

[Nodsu]

You have to tell search specifically to look in system folders.
Also, telling Explorer to show you hidden and system files is a very good idea.

 

[Hodsocks]

Hi Nodsu, thinking it may have been hidden, the first thing I did was to enable: show hidden folders and system files.
The search parameters were set to reveal everything bar the kitchen sink. :haha:

 

[DMAE]

Did you ever get the directory back? I have the same problem and am at a loss as how to correct it.

 

[DelJo63]

and yet the system boots and runs?

 

[DMAE]

Yes, without any problems. I cannot see the directory with windows explorer, but when I go to DOS, I am dumped in the WINDOWS directory. If I go to its parent directory, C:, I cannot see the WINDOWS directory in the listing. Yet I can "CD WINDOWS" and get into it and see all the files it contains.