Can't see items in Recycle Bin :-(

[Bill Lane]

Hi All:

I went to the Recycle Bin to put back a file that I didn't mean to delete, but none of the items are visible.

Don't know when this happened.

It says that there are 25 items in there.

What do I do now?

Will appreciate your help, and thanks ahead of time,

Bill Lane

[codered6651]

Try this open Windows Explorer click on Tools>Folder Options>View. Select show all files (Default is hide system and hidden files). Click OK. Now open Recycle Bin and you should be able to see all files in the bin.

Have you also checked your Recycle Bin Properties by right-clicking on the Recycle Bin and highlight properties, make sure the box "Do Not move files to Recycle Bin" is not checked. If none of these work you could have a virus, so also do a scan with your AV, spyware/malware (Spybot S&D, Ad-aware SE, MS Antispyware, etc) utilities before doing any of the above.

[Bill Lane]

Hi codered6651:

Well I did everything that you suggested, but still can't see the 25 items in the Recycle Bin.

Using AVG Version 7.0.308, Ad-Ware se Build 1.05, SpywareBlaster Version 3.2, and all are updated.

The hidden files are now visable everywhere but the Recycle Bin.

The "Do Not move files to Recycle Bin" is not checked.

Well, where do I go from here?

I also tried the all View Options, Thumbnails, List, details, Tiles and Icons.

[glc]

Have you enabled show hidden SYSTEM files? That's a bit further down in the view list.

[Bill Lane]

Hi glc:

Tools/Folder Options/Hidden Files and Folders (I put a dot in "Show Hidden Files and Folders).

I don't see any other place to enabled show hidden SYSTEM files.

Should I be looking somewhere else?

Bill Lane

[glc]

Sorry - I meant unhide protected operating system files.

[Bill Lane]

Hi glc:

Is that what I did here?

Tools/Folder Options/Hidden Files and Folders (I put a dot in "Show Hidden Files and Folders).

Bill Lane

[Lobos]

Hi bill

You know the recyclebin folder is called RECYCLER

If you see that folder click on it there should be a recycle bin icon in there

click on that and see if you see any of your files that way.

once you get your file(s) back. restoring the recycle binn is easy

Lobos

[Lobos]

Is that what I did here? Tools/Folder Options/Hidden Files and Folders (I put a dot in "Show Hidden Files and Folders).

if you put a dot in there then you should be able to see the recycler folder

[Bill Lane]

Hi Lobos:

I can't find any folder that's named "RECYCLER", I even did a Search with no results.

This is WinXP Pro.

If I'm not looking in the right place, let me know.

Thanks,

Bill Lane

[Lobos]

If you have the show hidden files and folders spot checked then it should be in your C:\ drive right when you open C

[Bill Lane]

Hi Again Lobos:

Well, it's not there, I have ....

Documents and Settings
Downloads
Program Files
Win32App
Windows

Do you think it got lost?, Is this why I'm having this problem?

Bill Lane

[Lobos]

mmmm thats strange im asking about this on another board


normally you would just rename the folder or delete it the make any file and delete that and your recycler folder would reappear

If you could could you run a hijack this log just to see if there might be something messing with the folder

First, create a folder for HijackThis in the root folder of your hard drive so it can make proper backups

example

C:/HJT/
C:/hijackthis/

next


Click here to download Hijack This. Save it to the folder you have just created

Close all open windows and open HIJACK THIS. Click “Scan” . When the scan is finished (it only takes a second), the scan button will change to“Save Log”. Click on“Save Log” and save it to NotePad. Copy the entire log and paste it here.

DO NOT FIX ANYTHING YET , most items that appear in the log are harmless or even needed. Wait for someone to analyze the scan and advise.

[Bill Lane]

Hi Lobos:

Here's the results ....

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 11:52:44 PM, on 3/20/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Dantz\RETROS~1\wdsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WDBtnMgr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RunDll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntvdm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\HijackThis\hijackthis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://start.sprint.earthlink.net/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\blank.htm
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WD Button Manager] WDBtnMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Retrospect WD Service (RetroWDSvc) - Dantz Development Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Dantz\RETROS~1\wdsvc.exe

[Lobos]

No nothing there your clean

but your recyclebin problem the same

[Bill Lane]

Hi Lobos:

Well I guess that's some good news.

Sure wish we could find out what's going on with the Recycle Bin.

Thanks,

Bill Lane

[Lobos]

try this the root of your harddrive is C right

ok well any ways start > run

in the box copy and paste this into it C:/recycler

then hit ok see if it finds it that way. the recycler folder should open

[Bill Lane]

Hi Lobos:

No it couldn't find it :-(

Bill Lane

[Lobos]

ok thats where the folder should be weather you can see it or not it should have opened the folder.

I'm going to have to think on this.

unless someone else or glc has an idea

[Bill Lane]

Okay Lobos, I'm gonna hit the sack anyway.

Good night.

Thanks again,

Bill Lane

[Jaggannath]

Although this may seem obvious, reading through the above I wondered if you had tried opening the recycle bin and seeing if the restore option was alive or whether it was greyed out. If it's greyed, it means the folder can't see anything in there, although from the sounds of it it's detecting the 25 files.

[Lobos]

Hi Bill

Try this this is a registry tweak to restore/repair the recycle bin

First its always a good idea to back up the registry before editing it

so first

Click the Start menu and click Run.

2. Type "regedit" and click OK.

3. Select My Computer to export the entire Registry, or click a folder to export only that folder.

4. Click Registry in the Registry Editor toolbar.

5. Click Export Registry File.

6. Select the directory for the exported file and type a file name. Use a specific name so that you can identify the file easily ("Registry 12/9/99," for example).

7. Click OK to export the Registry file.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that you have a backup of the registry

Copy and paste the code below into a notepad file

save as recyclebin.reg
save as type click all files

now double click the reg file and let it merge then see if you have use of your recycle bin

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}]
@="Recycle Bin"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}]
@="Recycle Bin"
"InfoTip"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,\
  6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,\
  00,53,00,48,00,45,00,4c,00,4c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,\
  2d,00,32,00,32,00,39,00,31,00,35,00,00,00
"SortOrderIndex"=dword:00000060
"IntroText"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,\
  6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,\
  00,53,00,48,00,45,00,4c,00,4c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,\
  2d,00,33,00,31,00,37,00,34,00,38,00,00,00
"LocalizedString"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,\
  6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,\
  00,5c,00,53,00,48,00,45,00,4c,00,4c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,\
  2c,00,2d,00,38,00,39,00,36,00,34,00,00,00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
  00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,\
  65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,33,00,31,00,00,\
  00
"Empty"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,\
  00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,\
  68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,33,00,31,\
  00,00,00
"Full"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,\
  00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,\
  68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,33,00,32,\
  00,00,00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\InProcServer32]
@="shell32.dll"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shellex]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,00,20
"CallForAttributes"=dword:00000040

Lobos

[glc]

In the View tab, scroll down below where you checked show hidden files - there's a box for "hide protected operating system files (recommended)" - UNcheck that.

[Zoe Lane]

Hi All:

This is Bill Lane. So I registered using my wife's name to get here.

First I registered the recycledbin file that Lobos gave me. No help.

I unchecked the hidden files that glc told me to do, and now the RECYCLED folder shows up in every drive, but still can't see the deleted files.

I did notice this though, I didn't see it before in the Recycle Bin ....

Attributes: Hidden, Date Modified: Sunday, March 13, 2005 9:35AM.

I would like to get my Log-In problem fixed before doing anything else on the computer.

I've been trying to log in for over 2 hours, waiting 20 min each time it told me that I had used all 5 of my attempts, don't know what's going on, I know I entered the correct User Name and Password, but for some reason it wouldn't take it.

P.S. Lobos, was I supposed to include the title ...
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

If not, I'll do it again without the title.

Bill Lane

[Lobos]

i'm thinking these are my last two shots
so you found the folder was there a recyclebin icon inside if so click on that icon

I had some one look at this thread and they were going to suggest the same reg fix too so im hoping it works .

P.S. Lobos, was I supposed to include the title ... Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

Yes the whole thing include the title

[Zoe Lane]

Hi Lobos:

This is Bill Lane

I clicked on the RECYCLED icon, it opens, but nothing there.

I right click on the panel that should be showing what was deleted, and it gives me the option to delete all the files.

I didn't delete them because I want to restore one of the files.

I've already done the Registry update.

Bill Lane

[Lobos]

And you still can't see the files .

well thats not good that was my last attempt for awhile unless i think of something else.

Can you delete another file and see if you can see it . i mean create a wordpad file and just delete it . see if you can see it.

[Lobos]

I clicked on the RECYCLED icon, it opens, but nothing there.

you said you clicked on the recycle icon you mean the one inside the recycler folder?


also still and try and do this

create a wordpad file and just delete it . see if you can see it inside the recycle bin

Lobos

[Zoe Lane]

Hi Lobos:

I clicked on the icon outside titled RECYCLED, no deleted files showing, but there 20 files in there now.

I made up a wordpad file called "Test File", and deleted it, still didn't show up in the Recycle Bin.

21 files in there now.

Bill Lane

[Zoe Lane]

Hi All:

Well I resolved my Recycle Bin problem.

You rename the RECYCLED in C:/ to RECYCLED X or whatever you want.

Create a file in WordPad file and delete it.

Windows should automatically create a new RECYCLED folder.

Delete the old RECYCLED X folder that you renamed.

Unfortunately it deleted the 21 files I wanted to look at, but that's okay, no real important files in there anyway.

Thanks again for everybodys help !!!, really appreciated it,

Bill Lane