Phantom Flash Folders/S.O.S

[Disco Dust]

I hope there is at least a PC geek or two on this forum who can aid me with my current predicament.


I have two flash sticks that have somehow become infected in a way that the respective folders on them do not appear at all on some computers, while some computers show them, be it in an abnormal manner.

I bought a new stick and transfered the problematic files, but the same problem persists with the new flash as well.


I imagine there must be some surefire program to disinfect these flash folders. Thanks in advance.

[nacho]

What's an "abnormal manner"?

And make sure your folders aren't set to hidden.  That happened to me once after I used a virus checker on my flash drive.  Don't know why, but it switched all the folders to hidden. 

[Nubbins]

What happens if you transfer the files to your desktop and try to access them there?  Are they still "infected"?

I'm sure you've tried this, but can't you just transfer the files to your desktop, format the sticks then put the files back on?

[Cassander]

that's how i got rid of my gohnorrea!

[Disco Dust]

By abnormal, I mean that now the folders do not have the usual beige color and seem colorless.


The PC I just got on is also hiding my files, so I have to check that tip about hidden folders in a few hours on another one.


The reason I have not tried Nubbins' possible solution is the large amount of time it would take considering all the folders, but if worse comes to worse that might be my last option.


Some sites seem to indicate this sort of snafu has something to do with what the infections do to the (or as the?) autorun needed to show these folders as healthy...Please fill me in if your clued in on this aspect.

[Disco Dust]

You seem to be on to something Nach, as the dubious files are all checked as hidden, the problem now is that I cannot undo it like I can the read-only box above it.

[nacho]

Oh.  That's weird.  I think you can toggle the option to change folder properties in your control panel.

Warning -- I'm on XP.  I don't know how this shit works with Vista.

[Disco Dust]

The ESET scanner on the last PC I was on said there was a conflicker worm on one of the sticks, but a guy at a computer shop did something with the tools section on top of the browser that made the hidden folders visible again, be it in the abnormal, off-color manner I mentioned before.


Btw, Nubbins; I did just try the copy thing, but they also come off as unhealthy when copied.

[nacho]

You need to stop kissing dirty girls.

[Nubbins]

Btw, Nubbins; I did just try the copy thing, but they also come off as unhealthy when copied.

So yeah, what Nach said... figure out a way to change the status of the folder so that it's not hidden or whatever.  The good news is that it means your files aren't corrupted, just slightly altered.  Try a google search for your specific issue... you'd be surprised, there are typically forum threads or a wiki or two that refer to whatever Windows related problem you might be having.

[Disco Dust]

well...the other odd thing is that AVG identifies a different virus than ESET on the stick....but as you mentioned, the important thing is that everything on the stick is still accessible; though with some difficulties.