Cannot delete file: Cannot read from source file or disk

[Guest]

Forgive the length of this message but this is so bizarre, I wanted to make
sure I didn't leave any detail out.

For starters, I have a file (?) on the desktop I cannot delete. The file
name is "FW_ From Long Is.". Yes, there is a space between the underscore and
the F in From. File properties report it to be zero bytes in length and the
Security and Summary tabs are missing from the Properties popup window. The
file came to me as an 83.7 KB email attachment that I saved to the desktop.
All incoming email is scanned with AVG and Spybot, MS Antispyware, and
Ad-Aware have all reported no problems. I've tried all (or at least most) of
the suggested fixes posted here to no avail.

I've also tried replacing the file with the same attachment from the
original email and I end up with two files on the desktop differing only in
that the period at the end of the file name is missing fom one of the two.
Properties now report both files to be 111 KB and the Security and Summary
tabs are present on the both Properties popup windows. I can now delete one
of the two (have tried deleting both the one with the period at the end and
the other first) but cannot delete the other receiving the error message
listed above. The Security and Summary tabs are once again missing from the
Properties popup window. All applications run without any apparent problems.

Bottom line.......the computer seems to perfectly healthy with a zero byte
length something I can't get rid of.

Help, please.

Ron

 

[witan]

I have had an almost identical problem. Got rid of the nuisance with
delinvfile.exe downloadable from www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm or
http://dl11.filekicker.net/private/...28194a90a75189c686eb693fadde42/delinvfile.exe
(or www.tinyurl.com/dmdu8 ).

 

[Plato]

For starters, I have a file (?) on the desktop I cannot delete. The file

http://www.bootdisk.com/xptop20.htm#8

 

[milleron]

Forgive the length of this message but this is so bizarre, I wanted to make
sure I didn't leave any detail out.

For starters, I have a file (?) on the desktop I cannot delete. The file
name is "FW_ From Long Is.". Yes, there is a space between the underscore and
the F in From. File properties report it to be zero bytes in length and the
Security and Summary tabs are missing from the Properties popup window. The
file came to me as an 83.7 KB email attachment that I saved to the desktop.
All incoming email is scanned with AVG and Spybot, MS Antispyware, and
Ad-Aware have all reported no problems. I've tried all (or at least most) of
the suggested fixes posted here to no avail.

I've also tried replacing the file with the same attachment from the
original email and I end up with two files on the desktop differing only in
that the period at the end of the file name is missing fom one of the two.
Properties now report both files to be 111 KB and the Security and Summary
tabs are present on the both Properties popup windows. I can now delete one
of the two (have tried deleting both the one with the period at the end and
the other first) but cannot delete the other receiving the error message
listed above. The Security and Summary tabs are once again missing from the
Properties popup window. All applications run without any apparent problems.

Bottom line.......the computer seems to perfectly healthy with a zero byte
length something I can't get rid of.

Help, please.

Ron

You didn't say what your disk format is, but if, by chance, it's
FAT32, you can boot from a DOS floppy and delete that file from the
DOS prompt.
If you have NTFS, you can try booting into Safe Mode or booting from a
bootable CD made from Barts PE ( http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ ), the
Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows ( www.ubcd4win.com ), or Knoppix
(http://www.knoppix.org/ ).


Ron

 

[Rock]

Forgive the length of this message but this is so bizarre, I wanted to make
sure I didn't leave any detail out.

For starters, I have a file (?) on the desktop I cannot delete. The file
name is "FW_ From Long Is.". Yes, there is a space between the underscore and
the F in From. File properties report it to be zero bytes in length and the
Security and Summary tabs are missing from the Properties popup window. The
file came to me as an 83.7 KB email attachment that I saved to the desktop.
All incoming email is scanned with AVG and Spybot, MS Antispyware, and
Ad-Aware have all reported no problems. I've tried all (or at least most) of
the suggested fixes posted here to no avail.

I've also tried replacing the file with the same attachment from the
original email and I end up with two files on the desktop differing only in
that the period at the end of the file name is missing fom one of the two.
Properties now report both files to be 111 KB and the Security and Summary
tabs are present on the both Properties popup windows. I can now delete one
of the two (have tried deleting both the one with the period at the end and
the other first) but cannot delete the other receiving the error message
listed above. The Security and Summary tabs are once again missing from the
Properties popup window. All applications run without any apparent problems.

Bottom line.......the computer seems to perfectly healthy with a zero byte
length something I can't get rid of.

Help, please.

Ron

Try taking ownership of the file, then delete it. See this link:
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421

 

[Guest]

witan,

It worked !! Thanks so much. I spent countless hours fighting this
problem.....nice to be rid of it.

Best Regards,
Ron
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