folder not visible except via command line

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12th June 2009, 10:55 PM
rocknrollstar

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folder not visible except via command line

All I wanted to do was copy the contents of a usb drive to a pc hd for a backup. I used the following batch file, so that I didn't have to use Windows GUI which takes ages:

Quote:

set params=/D /E /C /F /H /K /Y /I
set SOURCE=I:\
set DEST=C:\freecom__backup
xcopy "%SOURCE%" "%DEST%" %params%
pause

Now, the folder c:\freecom_backup can be browsed via the command line, but simply isn't visable in Windows Explorer. I have set "View Files and Folders" in the tools-->folder options-->view tab to be visible (see attached), so it should be working and visible in Explorer. Also, I was able to set the folder as a shared folder, but it can't be viewed on the network either.

Attached is a photo of proof: the folder can't be seen in Explorer, but can via command prompt. Note that this photo is showing the folder as a mapped folder, as the screen shot was taken from a different computer. Same thing shown on actual computer though!

Any thoughts on why I can't see the folder?
13th June 2009, 12:11 AM
EduTech

This is going to sound really weird probably, but i have seen this happen with folders in the past!

opening the USB using Linux or OSX and i bet you will be able to see that folder!

If so, i would copy the folder delete it of the drive and then copy it back again :)

James.
13th June 2009, 12:26 AM
SYNACK

Could it be marked as a protected system folder as the screenshot did not reveil whether the sow protected os files box was checked or not.
13th June 2009, 08:03 AM
rocknrollstar

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYNACK

Could it be marked as a protected system folder as the screenshot did not reveil whether the sow protected os files box was checked or not.

Turns out that it is a protected system folder. Question is, how do I change it to a normal folder? And why did it become a system folder in the first place?!

I've set admin permissions on the folder, and tried to make it not-read only, but it still looks like a system folder (the icon is lighter and almost see through).

Thanks for your help.
13th June 2009, 01:51 PM
SYNACK

It will probably have the system attribute set which may have copied over from the source via the command, You should just need to use the attrib command to reset the attributes of the folder:

You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, or in Windows Vista

Code:

attrib -S -H c:\freecom_backup /S
13th June 2009, 07:01 PM
rocknrollstar

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYNACK

It will probably have the system attribute set which may have copied over from the source via the command, You should just need to use the attrib command to reset the attributes of the folder:

You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, or in Windows Vista

Code:

attrib -S -H c:\freecom_backup /S

Thanks SYNACK, I gave this a go, but got a file not found error (see attachement). Any ideas?
13th June 2009, 07:16 PM
kmount

Could be wrong but it looks like you've got two underscores in your path.
13th June 2009, 07:38 PM
EduTech

Just curious, if you take the tick out of the tickbox for "hide protected operating system files" does this then allow you to see the folder?

James.
13th June 2009, 07:50 PM
SYNACK

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknrollstar

Thanks SYNACK, I gave this a go, but got a file not found error (see attachement). Any ideas?

I agree with kmount above, upon closer inspection it looks like you have two underscores in the foldername rather than the one that was in the command line above so something like:

Code:

attrib -S -H c:\freecom__backup /S

or

Code:

attrib -S -H "c:\freecom__backup" /S

if that does not work try removing the /S switch.
13th June 2009, 08:03 PM
rocknrollstar

Quote:

Originally Posted by EduTech

Just curious, if you take the tick out of the tickbox for "hide protected operating system files" does this then allow you to see the folder?

James.

James, the only way I can see the folder is if I have that tickbox ticked. It is definitely some sort of system folder, as it looks ghost-like. Not sure how it got like that!
13th June 2009, 08:05 PM
EduTech

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknrollstar

James, the only way I can see the folder is if I have that tickbox ticked. It is definitely some sort of system folder, as it looks ghost-like. Not sure how it got like that!

Oh right, it must say "show protected Operating System Files" in XP then, i looked on windows 7. :)

Synack post should do the trick though.

James.
13th June 2009, 08:06 PM
rocknrollstar

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYNACK

I agree with kmount above, upon closer inspection it looks like you have two underscores in the foldername rather than the one that was in the command line above so something like:

Code:

attrib -S -H c:\freecom__backup /S

or

Code:

attrib -S -H "c:\freecom__backup" /S

if that does not work try removing the /S switch.

Solved! There are 2 underscores, which was a problematic typo. However, the command
attrib -S -H "c:\freecom__backup"
worked (only when I took off the /S).

Thanks very much for your help SYNACK, kmount and James.

Cheers :D
13th June 2009, 08:19 PM
AngryTechnician

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknrollstar

And why did it become a system folder in the first place?!

Because you used xcopy with the root of a drive (I:\) as the source. The root directory of a drive is treated as a system directory, so your destination inherited that attribute.
13th June 2009, 08:24 PM
rocknrollstar

Thanks AngryTechnician, that's really useful to know.

Little by little I seem to get there, wherever 'there' is....