WinXP Home w/SP2 and latest updates

When I delete a file from within Windows Explorer
then open the recycle bin, it appears briefly then
disappears never to be seen again. The recycle bin
still shows it has a file in it but you can't see it.

If I delete a file from the desktop and open
recycle bin, it appears and stays visible unless
I empty the recycle bin. In other words "normal".

How do I get files from all other directories back
to normal so I can view them before emptying the
recycle bin ?

thanks,

bill mudd