This is a very unusual case, but my system32 folder is not located in the C:\Windows directory. In fact it is not even on my computer anymore! I noticed this a while back but it made no difference in how the computer ran so i let it be. Now my C++ compiler isnt working correctly and is locking up, and the problem may be to a "not found" file in the system32 folder. Other programs also have this problem i noticed from a quick debug.

Should I run a repair job of windows XP or does anyone have a solution to this strange problem?

on some nt based os's the folder is called C:\WINNT\ try there for system32, it might be hidden try making sure u've got hidden files and folders enabled etc. i can't think windows would run stably without the folder, you can try command prompt, see if you can cd into the directory, if none of this works, i'd say reinstall

hope this helps need any further assistance just let me know

wow you were right; I used the command prompt and was able to cd into system32, but im just confused as to why it doesnt show up in windows explorer. I have hidden files/folders on show so i should see it. Strange.

thanks for the info, i think im just going to reinstall windows to fix this.

there should be no reason why u cant see it, just out of curiosity are u on xp home/professional sp1/sp2?

I think xp has it's other methods of hiding stuff too.

im on windows xp professional with sp2. I havent heard of any other ways to hide the largest system folder though...

Hi. I'm not sure if you've found the solution yet (I was just browsing the forums and saw this one). Anyway to fix the problem try this. Open command prompt and type: attrib -a -h -r -s c:\windows\system32

Hope this helps. It fixed the same problem for me.

FANTASTIC CHEERS MATEY

works a treat

phoenix i was at wits end trying to figure out how to fix my system32 folder from not displaying. thank u so much.

Thanks Bratt!

I think I would be asking myself why this folder has suddenly made itself invisible, or rather what has re-written the attributes to make the folder invisible. My recomendation would be to follow the instructions above to make the folder visible again, then run full system anti virus/spyware/adware programs. The attributes have not re-written themselves for no reason.