Strange directories in root of C drive after XP reinistall - Cannot delete...

[Chuck]

I just reinstalled Windows XP and noticed at the root level of my C:
drive, I now have these strange directories with the names like
C:\3D367BH3459A493WK. There are 5 or so of them. When I try to delete
them, it tells me that it cannot delete any of them and access is
denied. Some of the directories have an SP1 subdirectory and some
don't. Some I can't even view, it gives me an access denied message.
What's funny is, on this install, I never installed SP1 and went
straight to SP2.

So what are these directories and how can I delete them? I've never
seen these directries before, even prior to my reinstall when I also
had SP2 installed, so that's what makes me think they can be removed.

Thanx.

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

I just reinstalled Windows XP and noticed at the root level of my C:
drive, I now have these strange directories with the names like
C:\3D367BH3459A493WK. There are 5 or so of them. When I try to delete
them, it tells me that it cannot delete any of them and access is
denied.

Try to delete the folders from the Safe Mode.
"A Description of the Safe Boot Mode Options in Windows XP"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315222).