Still Can't Delete a file

  • Thread starter Thread starter Justin
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J

Justin

Windows Vista Ultimate 64.
I right click and hit delete on a file and I get
Item not found
This is no longer located in C:\Users\Justin\Downloads verify the items
location and try again.
The file is a MS Word docx, downloaded from my college's Blackboard system.
I booted into safe mode (under the admin account) and ended up with the
same message.
I was told this could possible be an issue with Temporary Internet files
and IE - I use Firefox. Nonetheless, I cleared out the TIF on both
browsers and the file is still there.
 
Justin said:
Windows Vista Ultimate 64.
I right click and hit delete on a file and I get
Item not found
This is no longer located in C:\Users\Justin\Downloads verify the items
location and try again.
The file is a MS Word docx, downloaded from my college's Blackboard
system.
I booted into safe mode (under the admin account) and ended up with the
same message.
I was told this could possible be an issue with Temporary Internet files
and IE - I use Firefox. Nonetheless, I cleared out the TIF on both
browsers and the file is still there.
Click to expand...


You might try starting elevated Command Prompt (start as administrator) and
try deleting it. Elevated Command Prompt will sometimes allow you to delete
files you can't through the GUI, because the GUI treats files differently
depending on various settings and context.

You might also try running/scheduling a CHKDSK /F to check for file record
consistency.
 
Justin said:
Windows Vista Ultimate 64.
I right click and hit delete on a file and I get
Item not found
This is no longer located in C:\Users\Justin\Downloads verify the items
location and try again.
The file is a MS Word docx, downloaded from my college's Blackboard system.
I booted into safe mode (under the admin account) and ended up with the
same message.
I was told this could possible be an issue with Temporary Internet files
and IE - I use Firefox. Nonetheless, I cleared out the TIF on both
browsers and the file is still there.
Click to expand...

Can you move the file to your desktop and delete?
Can you right-click and Sento the recycle bin?
If you rename it can you delete it?
If you right-click Properties > Security do you have full control?
If not, can you edit permissions to give you full control?
If none of the above help then you could try taking ownership:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...ership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/
 
Justin said:
I already have ownership.
Click to expand...

How did you get ownership ?
You said you downloaded it from another computer onto your machine.
Right-click the file > Properties > Security > Advanced > Owner tab.
What does it say in the 'Current owner box'?
If it isn't you, you haven't taken ownership.
 
Dave-UK said:
How did you get ownership ?
You said you downloaded it from another computer onto your machine.
Right-click the file > Properties > Security > Advanced > Owner tab.
What does it say in the 'Current owner box'?
If it isn't you, you haven't taken ownership.
Click to expand...

I downloaded it from the internet - my college's Blackboard system.
It has my account listed as the Current owner.
 
Justin said:
I downloaded it from the internet - my college's Blackboard system.
It has my account listed as the Current owner.
Click to expand...

Then I am out of ideas regarding permissions.
If it were my machine the next step would be to boot from a BartPE or linux
disk and delete from there.
(If you can't get such a disk I can give you a link to mine.)
 
It may not help the root cause of your problem, which is beyond me, but I
have found that I can get rid of files like this by using freeware such as
Eraser that writes over the file. You might want to try something similar.
 
Justin said:
I downloaded it from the internet - my college's Blackboard system.
It has my account listed as the Current owner.
Click to expand...

Have you managed to delete it yet ?
 
Justin said:
I downloaded it from the internet - my college's Blackboard system.
It has my account listed as the Current owner.
Click to expand...

How's the file deletion saga going ? Still having problems?
 
I fussed around without success. Then downloaded the freeware Unlocker
1.8.8, and it removed without a problem. Really frustrating that I couldn't
find a simple solution.
 
Dave-UK said:
How's the file deletion saga going ? Still having problems?
Click to expand...


Sorry Dave, I was working on something else.
I'm a student so I have pieces of time on and time off.
The problem has gotten worse - I not have several files that won't
delete - torrents in my Downloads folder. Now before you say somethign
abotu downloading unsafe stuff, I was downloading Formula 1 races and a
TV show - no software and they are all in the xvid format - no
proprietary players. I use VLC to play them.

Here is what I have:
When I right click and hit properties
http://www.imagebam.com/image/2b1be155594796

Delete confirmation:
http://www.imagebam.com/image/d6b92855594798

It barks at me saying it can't delete
http://www.imagebam.com/image/acab5255594799

Here is the security tab for one of the files.
http://www.imagebam.com/image/7a68f555594802

So far I tried a utilility called move on boot - didn't work because
moveonboot can't find the file. I point it directly to the phantom file
and it barks at me saying it can't find it.

http://www.imagebam.com/image/35c88755595249

Apparently there's a pointer to a nonexistent file.
Deleting in safe mode - no same thing can't find the files.
ran malwarebytes check - clean.
I tried to rename the files - no dice - access denied.
http://www.imagebam.com/image/ee26a655595106


I tried the following batch file
@echo off
del -p -f %1

goto exit
:exit

no effect whatsoever.

ran sfc /scannow
found nothing wrong.

My next step is to download a knoppix CD, boot from that and try
deleting without even entering Windows.
 
Justin said:
Sorry Dave, I was working on something else.
I'm a student so I have pieces of time on and time off.
The problem has gotten worse - I not have several files that won't
delete - torrents in my Downloads folder. Now before you say somethign
abotu downloading unsafe stuff, I was downloading Formula 1 races and a
TV show - no software and they are all in the xvid format - no
proprietary players. I use VLC to play them.

Here is what I have:
When I right click and hit properties
http://www.imagebam.com/image/2b1be155594796

Delete confirmation:
http://www.imagebam.com/image/d6b92855594798

It barks at me saying it can't delete
http://www.imagebam.com/image/acab5255594799

Here is the security tab for one of the files.
http://www.imagebam.com/image/7a68f555594802

So far I tried a utilility called move on boot - didn't work because
moveonboot can't find the file. I point it directly to the phantom file
and it barks at me saying it can't find it.

http://www.imagebam.com/image/35c88755595249

Apparently there's a pointer to a nonexistent file.
Deleting in safe mode - no same thing can't find the files.
ran malwarebytes check - clean.
I tried to rename the files - no dice - access denied.
http://www.imagebam.com/image/ee26a655595106


I tried the following batch file
@echo off
del -p -f %1

goto exit
:exit

no effect whatsoever.

ran sfc /scannow
found nothing wrong.

My next step is to download a knoppix CD, boot from that and try
deleting without even entering Windows.
Click to expand...

I don't use Torrent software myself but having Googled your problem
apparently there is some setting somewhere where you can select an
option/button to "delete torrent & data".
I'd have a look for that option first.

This post has a method:
http://netfresco.com/tech/item-not-found/default.aspx
It's because the name of the file has spaces or something that makes
Vista think it doesn't exist or is an empty file.
 
Dave-UK said:
I don't use Torrent software myself but having Googled your problem
apparently there is some setting somewhere where you can select an
option/button to "delete torrent & data".
I'd have a look for that option first.

This post has a method:
http://netfresco.com/tech/item-not-found/default.aspx
It's because the name of the file has spaces or something that makes
Vista think it doesn't exist or is an empty file.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I just figured it out.
Thanks.
 
anh said:
You should try a couple of freeware programs that deal with situations
like this.

1) Unlocker is a good little utility.

'Unlocker 1.8.8 Download - Freeware Files.com - Utilities Category'
(http://www.freewarefiles.com/Unlocker_program_13477.html)

2) Move On Boot is also good.

'MoveOnBoot - Rename, Move, Delete Locked Folders and Locked Files on
Restart' (http://www.emco.is/products/move-on-boot/features.php)

If those two don't resolve the problem, here is another solution, but
it's only for the technically proficient:

1) Shut down and unplug your computer.

2) Pick it up, taking care to lift it safely.

3) Put it in the boot of your car (we technicians call this a reboot).

4) Drive to a lake, a scenic one for preference. Stop off on the way to
pick up some cold beers.

5) Take computer out of boot, carry to lake edge and throw it in.

6) Take out beers and drink by side of lake, reflecting on how much
better your life is now that your computer is at the bottom of the lake.

That's it!
Click to expand...

Or get a mac! I already have a Macbook 15.
I tried those utilities per advice from the kids at vistaforums.com

Right after I got the problem fixed they banned me. :)
 
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