"Invalid Directory Name"

[WoofWoof]

I have a subdirectory that I cannot access/move/copy/delete because it
has a reported "Invalid Directory Name". Strangely, I can rename it -
but when I do it still gives the same error (even though the new name
is definitely valid).

I don't need the directory and I'd be happy to delete it if I could.
I've tried from Windows and also from a command prompt. Same error.

I also tried booting to the Command Console but this will only let me
access the command structure directories or the root levels of the
partitions (incidentally, why is that?? Seems less than completely
useful). Unfortunately, the problem directory is several level deep.
CHKDSK on that partition reports no problems.

Anny suggestions for zapping the beast?

 

[Pegasus]

I have a subdirectory that I cannot access/move/copy/delete because it
has a reported "Invalid Directory Name". Strangely, I can rename it -
but when I do it still gives the same error (even though the new name
is definitely valid).

I don't need the directory and I'd be happy to delete it if I could.
I've tried from Windows and also from a command prompt. Same error.

I also tried booting to the Command Console but this will only let me
access the command structure directories or the root levels of the
partitions (incidentally, why is that?? Seems less than completely
useful). Unfortunately, the problem directory is several level deep.
CHKDSK on that partition reports no problems.

Anny suggestions for zapping the beast?

What is the exact name of the directory?

 

[WoofWoof]

What is the exact name of the directory?

It's currently named " bad " ... but I've renamed it several times
with no luck.

 

[Pegasus]

It's currently named " bad " ... but I've renamed it several times
with no luck.

-Start a Command Prompt
- Type this: cmd /fn
- Navigate to the problem directory
- Type this: rd /s /q
- Now type ^F repeatedly until you see the correct directory
name. ^F is Ctrl+F

If this does not work, try deleting the directory from the Command
Console. Make sure that you have the correct directory name,
including leading and trailing spaces, by typing these commands:
cd "bad" (does this work?)
dir
cd ..
rd /s /q "bad"
The double quotes are required if the directory name contains
embedded spaces.

You may first need to enable full folder access under the Command
Console:
- Run gpedit.msc
- Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Windows Settings /
Security Settings /
Security Options / Recovery Console: Allow floppy disk access . . .
- Set this policy to "Enabled".

 

[WoofWoof]

-Start a Command Prompt
- Type this: cmd /fn
- Navigate to the problem directory
- Type this: rd /s /q
- Now type ^F repeatedly until you see the correct directory
name. ^F is Ctrl+F

No luck ... still get "Invalid Directory Name"

If this does not work, try deleting the directory from the Command
Console. Make sure that you have the correct directory name,
including leading and trailing spaces, by typing these commands:
cd "bad" (does this work?)
dir
cd ..
rd /s /q "bad"
The double quotes are required if the directory name contains
embedded spaces.

You may first need to enable full folder access under the Command
Console:
- Run gpedit.msc
- Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Windows Settings /
Security Settings /
Security Options / Recovery Console: Allow floppy disk access . . .
- Set this policy to "Enabled".

I believe there should be another level between /Security Settings/
and /Security Options/ ... namely: /Local Policies/

I enabled the Allow floppy disk access ... entry, closed out then went
back in to ensure it remained enabled (it did). However, the Recovery
Console still will only let me access the command structure
directories (WinNT etc) and the root directory of each partition. Just
as it did before. Therefore I can't navigate far enough to be able to
try your suggestion.

 

[Pegasus]

No luck ... still get "Invalid Directory Name"



I believe there should be another level between /Security Settings/
and /Security Options/ ... namely: /Local Policies/

You are entirely correct.

I enabled the Allow floppy disk access ... entry, closed out then went
back in to ensure it remained enabled (it did). However, the Recovery
Console still will only let me access the command structure
directories (WinNT etc) and the root directory of each partition. Just
as it did before. Therefore I can't navigate far enough to be able to
try your suggestion.

Your experience is at variance with mine, and with the way Microsoft
designed this particular item.

In such stubborn cases you can try and hit the thing with a sledge
hammer. There are three kinds:
a) Temporarily install the disk as a slave disk in some other Win2000/XP
PC, then delete the directory from a Command Prompt.
b) Boot with a Bart XP PE CD, and delete the directory from a Command
Prompt. To make a Bart CD, you need three things:
- The generating tool (www.bootdisk.com)
- A WinXP Professional CD (no licence number is required)
- A CD burner
c) A disk editor, e.g. the one sold by Acronis.

 

[WoofWoof]

Your experience is at variance with mine, and with the way Microsoft
designed this particular item.

Yes, I agree this behaviour is rather weird since it seems obvious
that enabling that entry *should* have given me access to all the
sub-root folders (that's how it's described!). Incidentally, at the
same time I enabled Recovery Console Adminstrator access without
password (it's not a public machine) and that worked OK.

In such stubborn cases you can try and hit the thing with a sledge
hammer. There are three kinds:
a) Temporarily install the disk as a slave disk in some other Win2000/XP
PC, then delete the directory from a Command Prompt.
b) Boot with a Bart XP PE CD, and delete the directory from a Command
Prompt. To make a Bart CD, you need three things:
- The generating tool (www.bootdisk.com)
- A WinXP Professional CD (no licence number is required)
- A CD burner
c) A disk editor, e.g. the one sold by Acronis.

Thanks for the help .... I can probably try one of those.