Cannot Read From the Source File or Disk

[Guest]

The subject error message appears when I try to delete, rename or move one
particular file from the My Documents folder. The properties of the file read
as follows: File -File, Size - 0, Size on Disk -0. No attributes are checked.
If I try changing the attributes, an error message appears, "The system
cannot find the file specified." I have tried deleting the file in safe mode
with no success. When I use the DIR command in Command Prompt, the file is
not listed. No problems in accessing and processing other files in this
folder. The file name is "BAD DAY AND GETS WORSE ...." I'd be grateful for
any suggestions on how to remove this file.

 

[Guest]

Do you have any spyware utilities such as Adaware or Spybot Search and Destroy?

If so try running them and see if they can delete the file.

It may also be that there is an exe file running - see under Processes in
Task Manager - that is using this file and prevent any access at all.
Terminate the process and you'll be able to delete the file.

 

[Guest]

Thx BAR. No success with spyware utility. There are quite a number of exe
files running on my computer. Is it safe to delete all of them in Task
Manager? Even in safe mode, there are at least a half dozen running.

 

[Guest]

Just learned more. I did find the file using the command prompt by using the
command "dir/ah" which requests a listing of hidden files in the folder. So
it is a hidden file even though Windows shows the file to have neither a
hidden or read-only attribute. Does anyone know how to change a file
attribute using command prompt in XP?