Folder that can't be deleted

  • Thread starter Thread starter ms
  • Start date Start date
M

ms

I used a utility that extracts files instead of running a setup file.
Have used it many times with no problems.

Today, ran the utility Filezilla through the extraction process,
resulting in a new folder with the extracted files. I decided to delete
the resultant new folder with extracted files.

The normal delete removed most files in the folder, but the remainder is
a problem. The folder with subfolders and a few files will not delete.
All below have todays date.

I now have a folder with normal file name, 24,456 bytes, no attribute.
In it are 2 subfolders: "i" (name), in it is one file with a text type
symbol, 6,656 bytes.

The other subfolder is "u", a single file in it as above, 206 bytes.

Then there is a separate file, as above, 18,432 bytes.

In trying to delete, I get error messages, can't delete any of the above.

I tried several utilities that delete after reboot, no luck.

I reverted to yesterday's registry, no luck.

How to delete the folder?

ms
 
The registry has nothing to do with the file system. There may be some file
system corruption so I'd back up before proceeding. You can run chkdsk from
the
recovery console but be advised that chkdsk will attempt to repair the file
system possibly at the expense of the files themselves.

After backup you can run;
chkdsk /r
from the recovery console command line. (/r implies /f and /p)

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD-Rom. At the "Welcome to Setup" screen. Press F10 or R to repair a
Windows 2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The
Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do
not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer: drive
root, %windir% or %systemroot%

You should also download and run a disk diagnostic utility from the drive
manufacturer's web site.


Also from a command prompt try;

del \\.\Drive:\directory\filename
(Note: the period between \\ and \)

Also you can delete from the recovery console. First you'll need to Control
Panel|Admin Tools|Local Security Policy Recovery console: "Allow floppy
copy and access to all drives/folders" set to enabled

Then from the recovery console command line;
SET allowallpaths = TRUE

to gain access to all folders and try deleting from here.



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


"ms"wrote:
 
The registry has nothing to do with the file system. There may be some
file system corruption so I'd back up before proceeding. You can run
chkdsk from the
recovery console but be advised that chkdsk will attempt to repair the
file system possibly at the expense of the files themselves.

After backup you can run;
chkdsk /r
from the recovery console command line. (/r implies /f and /p)

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows
2000 Setup CD-Rom. At the "Welcome to Setup" screen. Press F10 or R to
repair a Windows 2000 installation, and then press C to use the
Recovery Console. The Recovery Console then prompts you for the
administrator password. If you do not have the correct password,
Recovery Console does not allow access to the computer. If an
incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery console quits
and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted or
missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console
starts in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password.
You cannot access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as
chkdsk, fixboot, and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the
password has been validated, you have full access to the Recovery
Console, but limited access to the hard disk. You can only access the
following folders on your computer: drive root, %windir% or
%systemroot%

You should also download and run a disk diagnostic utility from the
drive manufacturer's web site.


Also from a command prompt try;

del \\.\Drive:\directory\filename
(Note: the period between \\ and \)

Also you can delete from the recovery console. First you'll need to
Control Panel|Admin Tools|Local Security Policy Recovery console:
"Allow floppy copy and access to all drives/folders" set to enabled

Then from the recovery console command line;
SET allowallpaths = TRUE

to gain access to all folders and try deleting from here.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Dave. That's the info I needed. I will post back.

ms
 
The registry has nothing to do with the file system. There may be some
file system corruption so I'd back up before proceeding. You can run
chkdsk from the
recovery console but be advised that chkdsk will attempt to repair the
file system possibly at the expense of the files themselves.

After backup you can run;
chkdsk /r
from the recovery console command line. (/r implies /f and /p)


Also from a command prompt try;

del \\.\Drive:\directory\filename
(Note: the period between \\ and \)
Click to expand...
This result is so strange, thought I better post right back.

I started with the simplest fix, ran this in the (windows) Run screen:

del\\.\D:\Download\FileZilla_3.2.1_win32-setup

I got the error message: "can't find the file" or similar.

I was looking at the path and file, and it exists just as in the path
statement.

Advice?

Also, if I run checkdsk as you indicated, is it possible that the file
system repair will cause other issues?

Except for the problem folder in this thread, I have had no file issues
at all.

ms
 
ms said:
This result is so strange, thought I better post right back.

I started with the simplest fix, ran this in the (windows) Run screen:

del\\.\D:\Download\FileZilla_3.2.1_win32-setup

I got the error message: "can't find the file" or similar.

I was looking at the path and file, and it exists just as in the path
statement.

Advice?

Also, if I run checkdsk as you indicated, is it possible that the file
system repair will cause other issues?

Except for the problem folder in this thread, I have had no file issues
at all.

ms
Click to expand...

You might have some files or folders with a trailing space. To find out,
type these commands from a Command Prompt:
dir /b /s "c:\Folder\Subfolder" > c:\dir.txt
notepad c:\dir.txt

Now press the "End" key on your keyboard to get to the end of each line with
a file/folder name to see if there is a trailing space. If there is then
this variant of Dave Patrick's command will delete such entities:
rd "\\?\c:\path_to_folder_that contains a trailing space "
del "\\?\c:\path_to_file_that contains a trailing space.txt "
 
You might have some files or folders with a trailing space. To find
out, type these commands from a Command Prompt:
dir /b /s "c:\Folder\Subfolder" > c:\dir.txt
notepad c:\dir.txt
Click to expand...

I typed as below. In your example, I did not know how to handle "notepad
c:\dir.txt" so I assumed it should follow the typed command line.

dir /b/s"c:\folder\subfolder">c:\dir.txt notepad c:\dir.txt

Got error screen "can't find c:\dir.txt"

?

Then what do I expect to see so I can do as below: ?
Now press the "End" key on your keyboard to get to the end of each
line with a file/folder name to see if there is a trailing space. If
there is then this variant of Dave Patrick's command will delete such
entities: rd "\\?\c:\path_to_folder_that contains a trailing space "
del "\\?\c:\path_to_file_that contains a trailing space.txt "
Click to expand...
ms
 
ms said:
I typed as below. In your example, I did not know how to handle "notepad
c:\dir.txt" so I assumed it should follow the typed command line.

dir /b/s"c:\folder\subfolder">c:\dir.txt notepad c:\dir.txt

Got error screen "can't find c:\dir.txt"

?
Click to expand...

I'll spell it out on a command-by-command basis:

Command 1=dir /b /s "c:\Folder\Subfolder" > c:\dir.txt
Replace "c:\Folder\Subfolder" by the correct folder/subfolder on
your own machine. When finished, press the Enter key on your
keyboard

Command 2=notepad c:\dir.txt
Now press the Enter key again.
 
I'll spell it out on a command-by-command basis:

Command 1=dir /b /s "c:\Folder\Subfolder" > c:\dir.txt
Replace "c:\Folder\Subfolder" by the correct folder/subfolder on
your own machine. When finished, press the Enter key on your
keyboard
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help.

I realize a commandline statement must be exact to work. Operator error
must be at work here. I tried to type exactly as in your message, but
maybe have spaces wrong.

This was my resulting path:

dir /b/s "D:\Download\FileZilla_3.2.1_win32-setup" > c:\dir.txt

Again I get error: can't find file 'dir'.

There is no dir.txt in my C directory.
Command 2=notepad c:\dir.txt
Now press the Enter key again.
Click to expand...

ms
 
ms said:
I realize a commandline statement must be exact to work. Operator error
must be at work here. I tried to type exactly as in your message, but
maybe have spaces wrong.
Click to expand...

You can drag the file from Windows Explorer to the Command Prompt, if
threre are spaces Windows will automatically encapsulate the path with
quotation marks.

Open a Command Prompt and type the partial DEL command:

del \\?\

Leave the Command Prompt window open. From an Explorer window
grab the undeletable file and drag it to the Command Prompt and drop
it at the end of the incomplete del command that you typed earlier and
then hit enter and see what happens.

John
 
You can drag the file from Windows Explorer to the Command Prompt, if
threre are spaces Windows will automatically encapsulate the path with
quotation marks.

Open a Command Prompt and type the partial DEL command:

del \\?\

Leave the Command Prompt window open. From an Explorer window
grab the undeletable file and drag it to the Command Prompt and drop
it at the end of the incomplete del command that you typed earlier and
then hit enter and see what happens.

John
Click to expand...

I did as you indicated. Resultant path:

del\\?\ D:\Download\FileZilla_3.2.1_win32-setup

I hit Enter....nothing happened. The file remains.

I did notice you used: del\\?\ instead of the Pegasus comment dir /b/s

?

ms
 
ms said:
@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:




I did as you indicated. Resultant path:

del\\?\ D:\Download\FileZilla_3.2.1_win32-setup

I hit Enter....nothing happened. The file remains.

I did notice you used: del\\?\ instead of the Pegasus comment dir /b/s
Click to expand...

I gave you the del command to try to delete the file and to show how to
drag the file to the command prompt and avoid typos in the file and path
name. This is not the same thing as what Pegasus is trying to get from
you, you can drag the file to the end of his command and report your
findings back so he can give you further assistance.

John
 
I gave you the del command to try to delete the file and to show how to
drag the file to the command prompt and avoid typos in the file and path
name. This is not the same thing as what Pegasus is trying to get from
you, you can drag the file to the end of his command and report your
findings back so he can give you further assistance.

John
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help, windows is always a learning process.

ms
 
I gave you the del command to try to delete the file and to show how to
drag the file to the command prompt and avoid typos in the file and path
name. This is not the same thing as what Pegasus is trying to get from
you, you can drag the file to the end of his command and report your
findings back so he can give you further assistance.

John
Click to expand...
Before I go back to the Pegasus post, need some advice.

I type the start of the path in Run, then go to the windows shell to
rightclick drag the file down to the Run screen. I did it before, can't
do it now. When the cursor moves to the taskbar area, the Run screen has
disappeared. I tried holding the cursor down there, Run does not pop up.
Either I have the Run screen, or I can start rightclick on the file, they
don't co-exist.

How to do this?

ms
 
ms said:
@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl:



Before I go back to the Pegasus post, need some advice.

I type the start of the path in Run, then go to the windows shell to
rightclick drag the file down to the Run screen. I did it before, can't
do it now. When the cursor moves to the taskbar area, the Run screen has
disappeared. I tried holding the cursor down there, Run does not pop up.
Either I have the Run screen, or I can start rightclick on the file, they
don't co-exist.

How to do this?
Click to expand...

The instruction that I and Pegasus gave you are run at the Command
Prompt, not in the Start Menu Run Box. To open a Command Prompt type
CMD in the Run box and then click on OK or press Enter. A Command
session will start, run the commands at the black screen that just
opened. To drag items to the Command Prompt grab them from the Explorer
GUI and drag them to the minimized cmd.exe on the Taskbar and hold it
for a second or two, the Command Prompt window will maximize and you can
then drop the item at the prompt.

John
 
ms said:
Thanks for the help.

I realize a commandline statement must be exact to work. Operator error
must be at work here. I tried to type exactly as in your message, but
maybe have spaces wrong.

This was my resulting path:

dir /b/s "D:\Download\FileZilla_3.2.1_win32-setup" > c:\dir.txt

Again I get error: can't find file 'dir'.

There is no dir.txt in my C directory.


ms
Click to expand...

I've been away for a few days and I note that John John has kindly taken
over where I left off. I will gladly leave things to him. Allow me to stress
two points that he has already made:
- I asked you to type my commands from the "Command Prompt". You typed them
from the "Run" box. This is NOT the same thing! You get to a "Command
Prompt" by doing this: Click Start, then click Run, then type the three
letters cmd and click the OK button.
- When following instructions from respondents, follow them literally unless
you know exactly what you're doing. Adding or omitting things just does not
work.
 
The instruction that I and Pegasus gave you are run at the Command
Prompt, not in the Start Menu Run Box. To open a Command Prompt type
CMD in the Run box and then click on OK or press Enter. A Command
session will start, run the commands at the black screen that just
opened. To drag items to the Command Prompt grab them from the
Explorer GUI and drag them to the minimized cmd.exe on the Taskbar and
hold it for a second or two, the Command Prompt window will maximize
and you can then drop the item at the prompt.

John
Click to expand...
Thanks for the data. It worked just as you described. After dragging, I
could see the proper path statement for the file in the Command window.
Hit Enter, saw "are you sure"- seeing that was a good sign, hit y, Enter,
got to C prompt again.

But back in windows, the corrupted folder is still there.

Please confirm, but at this point I guess I go back to Pegasus reply.

ms
 
I've been away for a few days and I note that John John has kindly
taken over where I left off. I will gladly leave things to him. Allow
me to stress two points that he has already made:
- I asked you to type my commands from the "Command Prompt". You typed
them from the "Run" box. This is NOT the same thing! You get to a
"Command Prompt" by doing this: Click Start, then click Run, then type
the three letters cmd and click the OK button.
- When following instructions from respondents, follow them literally
unless you know exactly what you're doing. Adding or omitting things
just does not work.
Click to expand...
Yes, but the mistake was not by intent. As a senior, I have terrible
sleep, so at times I may miss a point in the advice.

But at least in this thread, I finally understand and in future will
recognize the meaning of Command Prompt as opposed to a DOS commandline
in the Run window.

ms
 
Sorry, the delay was my error as in other message, I can finally respond
to this:
I'll spell it out on a command-by-command basis:

Command 1=dir /b /s "c:\Folder\Subfolder" > c:\dir.txt
Replace "c:\Folder\Subfolder" by the correct folder/subfolder on
your own machine. When finished, press the Enter key on your
keyboard
Click to expand...
I dragged the folder into the Command Prompt. Enter, I get back to C
prompt. I checked in windows, the folder is still there.
Command 2=notepad c:\dir.txt
Now press the Enter key again.
Click to expand...
Notepad opens, blank screen.

?

ms
 
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