Cannot Delete ICON From Desktop !

[Andy]

Hi....

This one is bugging me to no end!!

I have an icon on my desktop - who know WHERE it came from - size 0 bytes,
with a name "CAEBE71A.". The system does not recognize it as a file, and
will not let me delete or rename it. Through DOS, it shows as a SYSTEM and
HIDDEN file, but it won't let me change the attributes to try to delete it.
On the desktop, the ICON properties show SYSTEM and HIDDEN as unchecked!
I've tried seeming everything - DELETE on BOOT, multiple XP tweak programs -
my PC is SPYWARE-FREE, I've tried deleting in SAFE mode, couldn't find any
reference in the registry, etc. etc. etc.

I don't care if it's deleted or if I can hide it - but now it's a quest.
Anything short of having to reinstall Windows XP, I want this %^*&%*(^
GONE!!

If anybody has ANY ideas on this, it would be more than greatly
appreciated!! Thanks!!

Andy

 

[Mary Sauer]

Have you tried the desktop cleanup? Right-click the desktop, properties, desktop tab,
Customize Desktop button, clean Desktop now button.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Have you tried deleting it from here?
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Andy]

Hi, Mary...

A good idea that I didn't think of. Unfortunately, this icon - since the
system doesn't recognize it as a file, I'm guessing - does not show up in
the list of icons to clean up.

Andy

 

[Andy]

Hi, Rick....

It doesn't show up in ALL USERS - only under MY name...where it can't be
deleted. BUT...you just gave me an idea....

Since I logon on as "Andy", I wonder if I can simply create another user
(e.g., "Andy 2" - and copy/move everything from Documents and Settings to
this new user)?

The only thing - will the system let me delete that first user afterwards -
or will I still be SOL because of this messed-up icon?

Thanks...

Andy

 

[Andy]

Well, scratch that idea - WAY more stuff than I thought - user settings,
WINPATROL and ZONE ALARM having to re-recognize everything....

If reinstalling Windows XP is the ONLY way - which I find hard to believe -
I'll just keep the damn thing.

Andy

 

[R. McCarty]

Boot to Safe Mode with Command Prompt. When the Welcome
Screen appears, use Administrator (Password is Null, Press Enter).
Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\'YourProfileName'\Desktop
Delete the Shortcut entry there using the Del FileName.Ext

 

[Andy]

Hi...

That didn't work, either. When I did a DIR/P in the proper directory, it
doesn't show up. When I issue the ATTRIB command, it shows up -
"CAEBE71A(period)" - with a system and hidden indicator. When I try to
clear those via "ATTRIB -H -S ......", the system says "Unable to change
attributes".

So, this 0 file-size, hex-name-with-a-period-and-no-extension icon still
sits on my desktop.

Andy

 

[Lee Chapelle]

Hi...

That didn't work, either. When I did a DIR/P in the proper directory, it
doesn't show up. When I issue the ATTRIB command, it shows up -
"CAEBE71A(period)" - with a system and hidden indicator. When I try to
clear those via "ATTRIB -H -S ......", the system says "Unable to change
attributes".

So, this 0 file-size, hex-name-with-a-period-and-no-extension icon still
sits on my desktop.

try attrib -r -h -s If the file is read-only you can't change the other
attributes.

Lee

 

[Andy]

Hi, Lee...

Sorry -

Still getting "unable to change attribute". If I try to clear using
switches separately, it says either "not resetting hidden file" or "not
resetting system file".

Andy

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi Andy - Sometimes you will find files which you are unable to delete
because they are in use. I expect that Delete Invalid File, below is what
you need, but give them all a try.

A program called Copylock, here,
http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc#CopyLock can aid in the process of
"replacing, moving, renaming or deleting one or many files which are
currently in use (e.g. system files like comctl32.dll, or virus/trojan
files.)"

Another is Killbox, here: http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip

A third which is a bit different but often useful is Delete Invalid File,
here: http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm which handles invalid/UNC
file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem.


--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[Andy]

HI, JIM!!!!

DELETE INVALID FILE DID THE TRICK!!!!

Thanks SO much for this information!! It's been so long, so many replies,
so many forums...finding you and this program was literally like trying to
find a needle in a haystack!! This little gem is a KEEPER!!!

Thanks again!!!

Andy

 

[Jim Byrd]

YW, Andy - Glad it helped. It's one of my favorite tools in my "little bag
of tricks".

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[JerryMouse]

HI, JIM!!!!

DELETE INVALID FILE DID THE TRICK!!!!

Thanks SO much for this information!! It's been so long, so many
replies, so many forums...finding you and this program was literally
like trying to find a needle in a haystack!! This little gem is a
KEEPER!!!
Thanks again!!!

Andy

Thank God! Your icon was beginning to sound like an ex-girlfriend of mine.

 

[Jim Byrd]

"If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is definitely not your
sport!"

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[Guest]

Hi folks,
A similar situation is currently taking place with me.
I had a certain software that I wanted to reinstall. A condition to that
was to remove the previous version.
When I uninstalled the previous version, the only appearent indication that
it was still there was the Add/Remove Programs icon in the control panel. It
is stubborn like hell and won't remove.
I'm not sure if I would pick the registry for it or if that would ever do
any use.
Any ideas out there?
Thanks
Yba