_WINDOWS_ folder gone/not showing

[purelife]

Hey, hope you can help. I have Windows XP (home edition) on my laptop, was going to start the computer today but it took 20 minutes, and when I clicked on my C: drive (which took unusually long, too) I noticed the complete Windows folder was gone (also a video folder is not showing which isn't as important). When I check the properties, it still shows that the space on the harddrive is taken, but I cannot see those folders nor can I access the files (when searching for a concrete file, it couldn't find it)
I think that the folder is not showing could be an explanation to why my laptop is that slow and wasn't able to start properly. I tried to run that error detection program for the harddrive, but the program can't finish. Also a Windows Update over internet doesn't work. If possible, I would prefer to fix this problem without having to format my whole laptop and installing everything again.
Thank you for any help offered!

[zerok666]

this should work for this problem:

open my computer
click on tools
folder options
veiw
then look for the option, show hidden folders and files and click it so it is on
then look for the option, hide protected operating system files(Recomended) and uncheck it, an error will pop up, just click yes

[Nepomuk]

If zerok's method doesn' work, you might want to repair your Windows - however you'll need a proper Windows CD (or DVD) for that, not one of those Complete-Systems-only-for-Laptops-from-Whatever-Company-your-Laptop-is-from. If you don't have one, try to borrow one - you won't need an activation key for this procedure.

When you have a proper Windows CD, try starting the Computer from that CD, choose "Install" (not "repair console"!!!) and it will find your Installation. From there you can try to autorepair it.

Remember, if zerok's method works, you won't have to do that. (However, if your Laptop continues being so slow, it might be a good idea anyway.)

Greetings,
Nepomuk

[jg007]

first thing... if the Windows ( or WINNT , depending on version ) was missing it would not be slow, it would NOT start at all.

you need to give a bit more information, did you install any driver or new software recently?

also check your event logs for any errors on windows start up , to do this right click on 'my computer ' , select manage and check under event viewer. the two logs that you need to check are application and system just ignore the rest.

what you need to check for is any errors or warnings shown when the computer was starting up, once you have details either do a google or post on here.

another sugestion would be to run a full spread of virus / spyware scans using Adaware, spybot and windows live scanner - http://onecare.live.com/site/en-Us/center/howsafe.htm

[jg007]

Also go to 'start', 'run' and enter 'chkdsk /f' press 'enter' then enter 'y ' then press enter and reboot your PC.

this will run a disk check on reboot.