Cant erase folder on desktop

[Mark G.]

winxp w/service pak 2

i created a folder on the desktop to hold a couple work files (adobe acrobat
files created from web pages), which i then attempted to drag over to my
data directory on another disk. it copied fine, but refused to "move"
preferring itself to remain.

i was able to erase each of the files, and determined that it is the folder
itself that wont move/erase.
turned on all the view options, and there was nothing in the folder.
created a new 'view' (changed the icon) to make sure; this created an
options file i was then allowed to erase.

when i right click on the folder/properties it has the read only box
indicating a square (no check). it allows me to clear it, but if i open it
again, same thing.

went to c:\documents and settings\my name\desktop and its there; wont let me
erase from there either


any suggestions as to what is going on and how to erase this?

i have a hardware firewall, norton internet security, virus scanner etc. I
created the file, so thats not it.

help!!

thanks,

mark

 

[Tony Briscoe]

winxp w/service pak 2

i created a folder on the desktop to hold a couple work files (adobe
acrobat files created from web pages), which i then attempted to drag over
to my data directory on another disk. it copied fine, but refused to
"move" preferring itself to remain.

i was able to erase each of the files, and determined that it is the
folder itself that wont move/erase.
turned on all the view options, and there was nothing in the folder.
created a new 'view' (changed the icon) to make sure; this created an
options file i was then allowed to erase.

when i right click on the folder/properties it has the read only box
indicating a square (no check). it allows me to clear it, but if i open
it again, same thing.

went to c:\documents and settings\my name\desktop and its there; wont let
me erase from there either


any suggestions as to what is going on and how to erase this?

i have a hardware firewall, norton internet security, virus scanner etc.
I created the file, so thats not it.

help!!

thanks,

mark

Hi Mark
I have had this problem in the past, I don't know if it is the correct way
to delete the folder, but if I get this problem, and I have had if a few
times, I boot-up in Safe Mode, I can then delete the folder.
Hope this helps.
Tony

 

[Rock]

winxp w/service pak 2

i created a folder on the desktop to hold a couple work files (adobe acrobat
files created from web pages), which i then attempted to drag over to my
data directory on another disk. it copied fine, but refused to "move"
preferring itself to remain.

i was able to erase each of the files, and determined that it is the folder
itself that wont move/erase.
turned on all the view options, and there was nothing in the folder.
created a new 'view' (changed the icon) to make sure; this created an
options file i was then allowed to erase.

when i right click on the folder/properties it has the read only box
indicating a square (no check). it allows me to clear it, but if i open it
again, same thing.

went to c:\documents and settings\my name\desktop and its there; wont let me
erase from there either


any suggestions as to what is going on and how to erase this?

i have a hardware firewall, norton internet security, virus scanner etc. I
created the file, so thats not it.

help!!

thanks,

mark

Try renaming then deleting, or boot into safe mode and delete.

 

[Mark G.]

thanks;

i already tried renaming (it did); will try safe mode next..

wonder why it did this?

 

[Mark G.]

went into safe mode; still wont erase.

i can rename though.....

but not erase.

any other ideas??

 

[Shane]

Hey Mark,

Tried this: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/removereboot.html?

From Bart Bailey on a.c.v

Shane

 

[Mark G.]

looks great.

but the site seems down....

Hey Mark,

Tried this: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/removereboot.html?

From Bart Bailey on a.c.v

Shane

 

[Rock]

went into safe mode; still wont erase.

i can rename though.....

but not erase.

any other ideas??

Try running the utility WhoLockMe. Google for it. It creates a right
click context menu item. Maybe that can give you a clue on what/why
it's locked. Also here are some other methods for deleting:

Start | Run | Cmd | Navigate to the directory and use the rd (remove
directory command).

or

1. Close all open programs.
2. Open a command prompt.
3. Right click the taskbar, and select Task Manager.
4. On the Processes tab, select Explorer.exe, and click the End
Process button.
5. Minimize Task Manager, but don't close it.
6. At the command prompt, use the Delete command to remove the file,
and close the command prompt.
7. In Task Manager, go to File | New Task (Run).
8. In the Create New Task dialog box, enter Explorer.exe, and click OK.
9. Close Task Manager.

1. Boot into Safe Mode _with Command Prompt_. It is one of the choices
from the Safe mode menu. Try deleting the files and removing the
directory from the command line using the del and rd commands. Type the
command followed by /? to see a list of options.

2. Recovery Console: Start the computer with the Windows installation
CD in the CD drive. [Note this will not work with recovery CD's. You
need a windows install CD]. If need be enter the BIOS to set the CD
drive as bootable. After it boots from the CD take the first option for
repair which will take you to the Recovery Console. Assume the
administrator password is blank unless your friend put a password on
this special account, then enter that. Once in there you must issue a
command to allow seeing all the directories. Type in :

Set AllowAllPaths = true, then hit the enter key.

Then try to delete the files and remove the directory. Make sure you
know how to navigate through the directory structure with the cd command
so you don't inadvertently delete something you don't want to. Note
that even with the AllowAllPaths variable set you might not be able to
access all directories from command console.