Cannot delete file

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Guest

I have a flash drive that I use to sync between my desktop and laptop. I
bought a larger one for that purpose, so I tried to delete the files on the
flash drive. It keeps giving the error message:

Cannot delete file; Cannot read from the source file or disk.

I checked to see what was wrong and in a number of the folders, all the file
names have changed to a row of little boxes like [][][][][][][]. I tried to
rename them but it won't let me do it. It tells me:

Cannot rename file; Cannot read from the source file or disk.

I tried to format the drive but it keeps giving me an error message saying:

Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs
that are using this drive and make sure no that no window is displaying the
contents of the drive. Then try formatting again.

Does anyone know how to rename/delete those files? Thank you for your time
and help.
 
There are utilities available but should also be used with care, perhaps one of these may assist:-

Utility for Deleting Invalid Files
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm
For invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem

Locked Files Wizard formerly CopyLock is a simple assistant that allows you to replace, to move, to
delete and to rename one or more files or folders which are in use by the system or any other
process.
CopyLock is a small program that allows 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.)
http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc

http://www.subratam.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=41
Another is Killbox, here: http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip

Unlocker
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
Cannot delete file: Access is denied
There has been a sharing violation.
The source or destination file may be in use.
The file is in use by another program or user.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.


--
===========================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2006
===========================
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
"Need more help? http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527
 
Hi,

Was it set to automatically synch when plugged in? If so, you may need to
disable this first.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Thanks, but none of those programs worked. I already had unlocker. The rest
keep telling me they can't delete because the "Directory, folder, or file
names have the wrong syntax." It's those darn little boxes the names turned
into. I can't change them and they won't delete without being changed.

TaurArian said:
There are utilities available but should also be used with care, perhaps one of these may assist:-

Utility for Deleting Invalid Files
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm
For invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem

Locked Files Wizard formerly CopyLock is a simple assistant that allows you to replace, to move, to
delete and to rename one or more files or folders which are in use by the system or any other
process.
CopyLock is a small program that allows 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.)
http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc

http://www.subratam.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=41
Another is Killbox, here: http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip

Unlocker
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
Cannot delete file: Access is denied
There has been a sharing violation.
The source or destination file may be in use.
The file is in use by another program or user.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.


--
===========================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2006
===========================
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
"Need more help? http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527




thefrostycat said:
I have a flash drive that I use to sync between my desktop and laptop. I
bought a larger one for that purpose, so I tried to delete the files on the
flash drive. It keeps giving the error message:

Cannot delete file; Cannot read from the source file or disk.

I checked to see what was wrong and in a number of the folders, all the file
names have changed to a row of little boxes like [][][][][][][]. I tried to
rename them but it won't let me do it. It tells me:

Cannot rename file; Cannot read from the source file or disk.

I tried to format the drive but it keeps giving me an error message saying:

Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs
that are using this drive and make sure no that no window is displaying the
contents of the drive. Then try formatting again.

Does anyone know how to rename/delete those files? Thank you for your time
and help.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Gentlemen. I fixed it. I ran chkdsk and clicked the two little boxes
on it where it asks about repairing bad sectors and recovering files. It took
about two seconds to run. The I tried to delete again and it worked.

I don't know how or why because I know nothing about this stuff. I was just
fiddling around, but it worked. Thanks for your assistance.

Pam Russell

Rick "Nutcase" Rogers said:
Hi,

Was it set to automatically synch when plugged in? If so, you may need to
disable this first.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

thefrostycat said:
I have a flash drive that I use to sync between my desktop and laptop. I
bought a larger one for that purpose, so I tried to delete the files on
the
flash drive. It keeps giving the error message:

Cannot delete file; Cannot read from the source file or disk.

I checked to see what was wrong and in a number of the folders, all the
file
names have changed to a row of little boxes like [][][][][][][]. I tried
to
rename them but it won't let me do it. It tells me:

Cannot rename file; Cannot read from the source file or disk.

I tried to format the drive but it keeps giving me an error message
saying:

Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other
programs
that are using this drive and make sure no that no window is displaying
the
contents of the drive. Then try formatting again.

Does anyone know how to rename/delete those files? Thank you for your time
and help.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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