Cannot delete file named con.pdf

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
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G

Guest

I know why it is a problem, but how do I get rid of this file? It is in the
following directory: o:\commline\aud-summ\client\delete\con.pdf

Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Are you getting an error message when you are attempting to delete this file,
if so what does it say. One thing to try is, shut down your computer and
restart. Then see if you can delete the file.
 
CCripe said:
I know why it is a problem, but how do I get rid of this file? It is in
the
following directory: o:\commline\aud-summ\client\delete\con.pdf

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Reboot into Safe Mode then try...
 
Sounds like the file is open and thats why you can't delete it. You could
try rebooting and then see if you can delete it.
 
It says, "Cannot delete con: Cannot find the specified file. Make sure you
specify the correct path and file name."

I'm deleting by right clicking on the file and selecting delete from the pop
up menu.
 
CCripe said:
I know why it is a problem, but how do I get rid of this file? It is in the
following directory: o:\commline\aud-summ\client\delete\con.pdf

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Download Process Explorer from sysinternals.com

Use it to locate the handle of the process that has the file open, then
kill that process and you should be able to delete the file.
 
You cannot delete it because CON is a reserved name.
It is not available for use even with an extension, e.g. CON.pdf is
illegal (as you have found out)
If you cannot rename it (likely), the try using the RD command from a
command prompt.
Start-Run-CMD
Try HELP CMD for syntax.

Here is some old (ancient?) information I have on reserved names:


Reserved filenames
CON PRN, NUL, CLOCK$, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, AUX
(not even available with an extension, e.g. CON.com is illegal)


If a directory or filename is named any of these, it may be difficult
to remove.
Renaming, deleting or using RD does not work.
This is an answer for NT (not yet tried in Win95)


Answer: RD \\.\<drive letter>:\<path>\<file name>
i.e. RD \\.\C:\test\com1


(for a file, replace RD with DEL)


The syntax bypasses normal reserve-word checks altogether.


---more information from another
Add to that list the CD device name used in any CD device driver
command
line in CONFIG.SYS (or any other device that takes a name on the
command
line, I guess). Also, at least in my system, CONFIG$, IFS$HLP$,
XMSXXXX0 and SETVERXX.


....Alan
 
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