Windows – Alternative ways to check time zone in Windows XP

Malware now commonly will apply the System or Hidden attributes to hide your files as Windows by default has files with these attributes hidden in Explorer, this also applies to the Start Menu.

To fix it you will need to enter the command line.

On the Start Menu you will see a search box.

1. Bring up the Run applet Windows Key + R OR Start > Run and type cmd.
2. Type attrib -H -S "%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu" /S /D
3. Type attrib -H -S "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu" /S /D

This will remove the Hidden and System attributes from all the shortcuts in the Start Menu.

You may also need to run the same command on your user profile to show everything else the malware hid.

3. Type attrib -H -S "%USERPROFILE%" /S /D

Once you have done this I would backup the data and reload Windows, while you can fix most problems caused by malware you can never be 100% sure you got rid of everything.

You can also use a program called Unhide from BleepingComputer.com, but it will UNHIDE EVERY FILE ON THE DRIVE! http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/unhide.exe

several of my users in this situation have had good luck with this program:

http://www.pchomesoft.com/kta/index.html

It provides for a fairly insane amount of customization, including limiting the number of hours per day the computer will function.