cannot read from the source file or disk

  • Thread starter Thread starter Al
  • Start date Start date
A

Al

I have tried everything basic to solve the following
problem:
I have a folder under C:\Documents and Settings\All
users\Start Menu\Programs called HLM5.04 (Students) for
Windows 2000 & NT. This entry was created while installing
a program. I uninstalled the program but the entry still
appears and cannot be renamed, removed, deleted, copied. I
cannot change its attributes (under properties). In fact
it shows under size and size on disk, 0 bytes. In DOS, a
dir command displays the file, but when I try to delete
it, it says that the file is not found on the disk.

If I reinstall the program and use the folder with the
same name and if I uninstall the program, the problem
remains.

Although this problem does not affect the running of the
computer, it is "bugging" me!!¨

Can anyone help?

Al
 
can you rename the folder?

I have tried everything basic to solve the following
problem:
I have a folder under C:\Documents and Settings\All
users\Start Menu\Programs called HLM5.04 (Students) for
Windows 2000 & NT. This entry was created while installing
a program. I uninstalled the program but the entry still
appears and cannot be renamed, removed, deleted, copied. I
cannot change its attributes (under properties). In fact
it shows under size and size on disk, 0 bytes. In DOS, a
dir command displays the file, but when I try to delete
it, it says that the file is not found on the disk.

If I reinstall the program and use the folder with the
same name and if I uninstall the program, the problem
remains.

Although this problem does not affect the running of the
computer, it is "bugging" me!!¨

Can anyone help?

Al
 
Can you MOVE the files or folder?

Whenever w2k doesn't let me delete a file or folder, it usually allows me to
move it... why? ...no clue.

But, I take advantage of this inconsistency by moving these problem files to
a RamDisk... files "magically" disappear at next reboot... problem solved...
:]


No I cannot even rename it, even under DOS cmd!

Thanks for your time
 
Hi, Al.

If Jisha's trick doesn't work, open a "DOS" window and use the Dir command
with the /x switch to see the Short File Name (also known as SFN or the 8.3
filename). Even if the filename is not long, it may contain some invalid
characters - which may be "invisible"; the /x switch should show the SFNs in
a column before the LFNs. Then use the SFN to delete the file.

For example:
dir /x
del <SFN>

If that doesn't work, move everything else out of that directory so that
nothing you want to keep remains. Then use rd /s to remove that directory
and the entire tree below it.

If those tricks don't work, post back with details.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP

No I cannot even rename it, even under DOS cmd!

Thanks for your time
 
Hi RC,

Thanks very much, I tried your last "trick" (i.e. to
remove the directory and copy the folders I wanted to
keep), and it works. Note that the del <SFN> did not work.
Note also that Jisha's trick did not work either because I
could not move the folder.

Have a fine weekend

Al
 
Hi, Al.

Thanks for the report. Every little trick that we can add to the Knowledge
Base helps.

As we often say, in a newsgroup, we all learn from each other. Now it's
your turn to help the next poster with a similar problem. ;<)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP

Hi RC,

Thanks very much, I tried your last "trick" (i.e. to
remove the directory and copy the folders I wanted to
keep), and it works. Note that the del <SFN> did not work.
Note also that Jisha's trick did not work either because I
could not move the folder.

Have a fine weekend

Al
 
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