Trouble deleting folder in WinXP

[TheGreenGoblin]

My roommate saved some files into a folder which i'm unable to delete. There are 2 files each with 0 KB filesize, no file extension, they appear to be hidden and associated with Word somehow. They were supposedly a resume he was sent by email.

When I try to delete the folder it says "Cannot find the file specified" and the file it lists is one of the files in the directory. If I try to delete the file specified it says "Cannot read from source file or disk". The other file gives me the same error msg.

I've tried in Safe mode, and i also tried to kill all explorer processes and tried removing the folder from cmd prompt but it tells me the folder isn't empty but there are no files in the folder. I can't rename the files either since I get the same msg.

I also tried a secure delete with Systweak's Advanced System Optimizer and it didn't indicate a problem but the file wasn't deleted. Anyone experience something like this before? I've seen "File currently in use" problems but never ghost files like this that wouldn't delete.

 

[sharad]

Tried using "rmdir" syntax that bypasses the file name checks? Worth a try...

C:\>rmdir /s "\\.\c:\Documents and Settings\JohnDoe\problem folder"

Note: /s: will delete all the subdirectories and files.

 

[TheGreenGoblin]

Thanks a lot. Worked like a charm.

 

[Conky]

Here's another low-tech tip I discovered on my own to fix the problem of undeletable files/folders(while helping my brother remove weird stuff from his computer :roll: ).

Rename the folder the files/folders reside in and then you should be able to delete them in the normal manner. You can change the folder name back after the rogue stuff is gone.

:beer:

 

[topdoubledigit]

you can delete UNDELETABLE files with a tool that works IN WINDOWS and when you reboot its gone.... I think its called GiPO@Boot... not sure--

 

[topdoubledigit]

plus it sounds like a Macro Virus..

 

[rasczak]

bump