+15000 files in a folder

[polobunny]

Ok, I got like 15000 files directly in one folder (Not in sub folder or whatsover).

I was able to explore them normally using Windows Explorer. It's on my usb hdd. But, one time, it bugged, froze. So i closed Explorer.exe in the running tasks and restarted it. Now, I can't go see these 15000 files, it frezes everytime or do like it was searching something ( little flashlight thing).

I can go see any folder in my usb hdd but not this one. The files are not hidden or system files.

So, did I "lost" all my files? I can't see them even if I wait about 1 hour or so.

My usb hard drive is a Maxtor 5000 LE 80 Gb
The files are important but I can't talk about them.
I'm open to any sugestions but i'd like to get my files back.

Here is the pic. After waiting for about 5 minutes, or was it 30...

[polobunny]

Umm, nevermind. I deleted the folder than made a new one called the same. I did got the sourcesfile hanging on a cd so all my files are back.

[polobunny]

Errmm, after extracting all the files back into the folder and deleting the zipped one, I get 8820 files or so. I still can't open the folder after all.

Maybe someone knows something about file number limitations on Windows XP? I really need those files.