Ok, Umm, HELP! *sigh* Yrag, Corky?

I've had it...

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 by Double Zero | Discussion: Personal Computing

Well it is rare for me to ask for help but I have tried all the simple methods that I know...
I have never encountered a problem like this, it really is more of an annoyance than anything else, but it is one I would like to resolve..

First of all, OS = WinXP pro Sp1a
And the View hidden folders and files option is set...
I know, I really should install SP2... eventually..

In my root directory I have a folder/directory that I cannot seem to delete, it contains 1 folder that I cannot delete as well, both are empty,I personally created the folder originally to download a couple programs into. Properties of both folders affirms they are empty as well as hovering the cursor above each in turn..

However, when I attempt to delete either of them I get a message - Cannot delete, Directory is not empty...

I have tried to move the folder to another drive in hopes that I could delete it from there, failed...

I have tried removing it in *Safe Mode, From the Administrator account, and even from the Command line with no joy..

I even went as far as trying the recovery console and received "Access Denied" errors message when attempting to delete the Directory/folders...

Another strange thing is when using the *Dir command on the folder it lists 2 files by date within them, but windows properties claims the folders are empty, I cannot type a path to the phantom files within, all I get in return is the creation dates, no file names...

Any ideas about how I can remove this thing from my HD?

Probably a simple solution,im just not getting it *Sigh*

Thanks in advance for any light anyone can shed on my folder delema...
37 Reply 20 Referrals
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yrag
Reply #1 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:00 PM
I'm beginning to think my name is on a bathroom wall...somewhere.....

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Corky_O
Reply #2 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:42 PM

I'm beginning to think my name is on a bathroom wall...somewhere

Just be glad your phone number is not included.....

Looks like you saved the day again, man.


Double Zero
Reply #3 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:44 PM
I'm beginning to think my name is on a bathroom wall...somewhere.....


LoL, If it is I havent seen it... Thanx a bunch Yrag but....

Unlocker doesnt work either, it claims that no "Locking handles" are present but that it can help me anyway, I chose to delete the folder which it could not do but asked if I wanted to perform the deletion at the next boot, I chose Ok, rebooted only to find the folder still there, I tried a few times with the same result.. One attempt earned me a blue screen...

The Folder is evil *Laughs* Just refuses to go away...Grrrrrrrrrr

yrag
Reply #4 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:48 PM
Boot into Safe Mode. Right click folder to Security Tab. Give it full authority, apply. Delete and empty Recycle Bin.

Corky_O
Reply #5 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:51 PM
OK, where's the popcorn?

yrag
Reply #6 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:56 PM



If #4 is a no go, maybe you can kill it when it's not looking......

http://www.softwarepatch.com/software/moveonboot.html

Bichur
Reply #7 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:58 PM

Corky_O
Reply #8 Thursday, January 26, 2006 12:01 AM

Thanks, yraq!

Hey, DZ...nice to see you again.......well, except for the current circumstances.


Corky_O
Reply #9 Thursday, January 26, 2006 12:05 AM

And the View hidden folders and files option is set...

Do you also have "Hide protected operating system files" deselected?

Just for confirmation that the hidden files are not important for some reason.


yrag
Reply #10 Thursday, January 26, 2006 12:10 AM
If none of the above works, we're down to DOS or using a wildcard in the Recovery Console.......

Corky_O
Reply #11 Thursday, January 26, 2006 12:11 AM

One last thing before I crash (early wake up for work here)...

I believe you use MS Anti-Spyware.

If so, you may want to shut it down before attempting deletion - especially if we are talking about a "Temp" file of some sort.

I have noticed the same message when clearing my Temp folder, and found this to be the cause.

Good luck.


Double Zero
Reply #12 Thursday, January 26, 2006 12:37 AM
If #4 is a no go, maybe you can kill it when it's not looking......


Didnt work...



Hey, DZ...nice to see you again.......well, except for the current circumstances.


Thanx Corky! I am usually here at least once a day, I have just learned to keep my trap shut, LoL

Do you also have "Hide protected operating system files" deselected?


Sure do...



I believe you use MS Anti-Spyware.If so, you may want to shut it down before attempting deletion - especially if we are talking about a "Temp" file of some sort.


I do and I did with still the same result... Im starting to wonder if it may be malicious code, Virii/worm of some sort...
I do know that it is a pain in the butt!


If none of the above works, we're down to DOS or using a wildcard in the Recovery Console.......


Well so far nothing has had any affect, I have used the command line and the recovery console, with a few of the recommended switch's... Not real familiar with the wildcards or which ones will work..LoL...aside from the fact that I have forgotten almost all of the DOS commands that I did know which was only a handfull at best...

yrag
Reply #13 Thursday, January 26, 2006 12:45 AM
In the console: del [drive:][path]filename

Show the path, including folder name and add \*.* as the filename

If it works, it will only delete one file at a time. After the files are deleted, the folder will delete normally.

lilstarfish
Reply #14 Thursday, January 26, 2006 12:51 AM
Apprentice Double Zero: have you tried to rename the folders, reboot and then delete them?

Double Zero
Reply #15 Thursday, January 26, 2006 1:14 AM
Apprentice Double Zero: have you tried to rename the folders, reboot and then delete them?


YuP, I renamed the parent "Sianora" and the sub "Getlost" LoL..That didnt work either..

If it works, it will only delete one file at a time. After the files are deleted, the folder will delete normally.


Well Yrag, from the command line it tells my that the folder is now not there, but in the directory itself it *is still there...

I ran the Dir command on C:\ and it does not list the folder anymore..but it is there... *Sighs* I think it's probably time for a fresh reinstall of the OS... Not looking forward to it..Lotts "O" stuff and alot of work Im not looking forward to...

Im going to reboot now in hopes of the folder really disappearing from my files...

I have my doubts...

Be back in a few..

Double Zero
Reply #16 Thursday, January 26, 2006 1:44 AM
Still there, sticks like glue... Grrrrrrr

Thanks a ton!! for all your help Yrag, I know how frustrating it can be, first hand...

Im going to try a couple other things and then call it a night, I'll check back in the morning and see if there are any other ideas.....

Take care everyone...

yrag
Reply #17 Thursday, January 26, 2006 2:07 AM
One last shot:
Remove Directory (rd or rmdir) command to delete the folder. Add the /s switch to remove the entire folder tree, subfolders, files and all.

From a cmd prompt run: chkdsk /f
Remove the "Unable_To_Delete" folder and all corrupted folders as follows:

rmdir dir name /s /q /f

Double Zero
Reply #18 Thursday, January 26, 2006 3:40 AM
*Update* = Success!

What I ended up doing to remove the file was installing my copy of XP onto one of my slaves then accessing my "C" drive from it and deleting the file...
It is *Really* Gone...Sheeeesh!!

As for the command switch's, I had actually tried those earlier today with no success, all except for the "F" switch.. I wonder if that might have done it?
I dont know, but I am SOOOOOO GLAD thats over!...

I now have 30 days to unlock or erase my xtra OS installtion..I'll have to ponder that awhile, LoL..."Deep Thought" I suppose....

Anyway I cant thank you enough Yrag, if it werent for your support I may have just given up, I really was getting frustrated...
Thanks and take care!!

Im going to bed, waaaaay past time..LoL

Jafo
Reply #19 Thursday, January 26, 2006 7:09 AM

What I ended up doing to remove the file was installing my copy of XP onto one of my slaves then accessing my "C" drive from it and deleting the file...

I was going to suggest that...but wasn't sure if you had a second drive or comp to access the problem one....

I've solved similar issues that way in the past....one reason I have 2 drive caddies and 2 functioning XP OS installs....primary and secondary masters...imaged within a few weeks of each other....


Double Zero
Reply #20 Thursday, January 26, 2006 11:21 AM
I was going to suggest that...but wasn't sure if you had a second drive or comp to access the problem one....


I held it in reserve as a last resort, by the time I tried it I wasnt sure if it would work either! I still cannot believe what an ordeal that became, deleteing a folder, I certainly did not think that I was going to have to go to the extremes that I did....

Thanks!

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