WINDOWS PROBLEMS?

Well, success...and some further stuff...first off, I forgot to mention that nothing appears in my Start Menu save for Computer when I click on Start; however, clicking on it opens up a new window which includes, among many other things, Control Panel. So I clicked on that and followed the path you specified, and bingo! I now have a PROGRAMS folder again, though it and another folder I had originally created appear much lighter in color (?). But they do open. If I have acquired a rootkit, would going back to a past restore point eliminate it?

sbuxman

If you can now see the folders, then you shouldn't have to worry about a rootkit. A rootkit is capable of hiding files and folders from all Windows settings you normally have access to.

I restored my system to 08/23/12 and everything seems fine, including a very visible PROGRAMS folder : )

Thanks again,

sbuxman

Right-click any blank space on the Desktop, click "View" and make sure that "Show desktop icons" is selected (has a checkmark beside it).

Yes, there is indeed a checkmark next to it.

Thanks again for all,

sbuxman