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

I've had it...

from WinCustomize Forums
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...
115,395 views 37 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm beginning to think my name is on a bathroom wall...somewhere.....

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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.

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Boot into Safe Mode. Right click folder to Security Tab. Give it full authority, apply. Delete and empty Recycle Bin.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK, where's the popcorn?
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top



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

http://www.softwarepatch.com/software/moveonboot.html
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks, yraq!

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

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If none of the above works, we're down to DOS or using a wildcard in the Recovery Console.......
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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...
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Apprentice Double Zero: have you tried to rename the folders, reboot and then delete them?
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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..
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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...
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
*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
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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....

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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!
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You're not alone Jaf.......he mentioned another drive it in his first post and I completely missed it......oyi

Glad you got it DZ..........the world is a better place for you having rid us of this blight


............and now I'm off in search of that bathroom wall
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just to throw something out there after the fact, you should have been able to delete the folder by booting from a live Linux CD or from a Bart's PE CD, rather than going through the extra hassle of a 2nd install.

You'd probably have to hit usenet or bit torrent to find the Bart PE CD, or else build one yourself. (I found a PE builder somewhere, but I have no idea where, or I'd post the link.)
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can you actually modify the content of an NTFS partiton from Linux? I thought it was read only..?
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just to throw something out there after the fact, you should have been able to delete the folder by booting from a live Linux CD or from a Bart's PE CD, rather than going through the extra hassle of a 2nd install.


Thats funny, To be completely honest Tj I was attempting to create that boot disk with BartsPE builder. The folder was one that I had created to work from..

I was getting errors during the build process, it seems the program does not like OEM versions of winXP, for some reason it could not locate the path to Test.exe from the XP installation files..that was 1 error...
I had 2 others, The builder could not locate 2 driver files for the Nvida video cards... I went to the sites forum and found a nifty little program that boasted it could create the build practically hands free..This is where the trouble began.....

I downloaded the program and ran it, suddenly Microsoft Antispy pops up a warning that my Windows logon policies were being modified...GRRRRRRR!
Then another, My Windows startup registry files were being overwritten..
And the last was the installation of a new IE explorer search bar...
Ok...Denied all that!
I began removing everything I had downloaded, I managed to dump everything except for those 2 folders... AVG, Nortons had no complaints about anything, LoL..
Obviously somthing was not right...

At any rate, PC is running fine now, it was getting a bit sluggish and I was experiencing connection errors that were getting worse.. When I was able to rid myself of that directory however, everything began to run smoothly once again...

Hopefully all is well, im 90% certain it is, but with some of the talented hackers out there I just cant be 100% certain....

So anyone thats trying to build that specific UBCD, be careful what you get and where you get it from!!
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yrag-- Thanks for the Unlocker link-- I have that problem too often-- esp when unzipping files to a folder which I can't get rid of when empty
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