Delete Stubborn Mystery Files

[Darrel]

Several files with names like CA6Z8TYN with attribute HSA and size 0
kB have appeared on my drive. Unable to delete them. Attrib -H -S
CA6Z8TYN simply gets File not found. They foul up backups as XP ain’t
smart enough to ask „Do you want to skip this file?“ but just grinds
the copy to a standstill.
How to get rid of them?

 

[Bob Harris]

First, be sure that the files are really there. Run CHKDSK C: /F and
reboot. This should fix any files system problems.

If the files still appear to be there, boot the PC from something other than
the normal windows XP on your hard drive. Options include the XP recovery
console from the XP CD (if you have one), Windows PE CD (if can find one), a
Bart's PE CD you make on your own computer, a free LINUX live CD like
KNOPPIX, etc. Navigate to the location of the files and delete them.

It might also be a good idea to do a virus scan, run from a bootable CD.
See for example the Ultimate Boot Disk.

Several files with names like CA6Z8TYN with attribute HSA and size 0
kB have appeared on my drive. Unable to delete them. Attrib -H -S
CA6Z8TYN simply gets File not found. They foul up backups as XP ain’t
smart enough to ask „Do you want to skip this file?“ but just grinds
the copy to a standstill.
How to get rid of them?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjuction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

 

[Plato]

Several files with names like CA6Z8TYN with attribute HSA and size 0
kB have appeared on my drive. Unable to delete them. Attrib -H -S
CA6Z8TYN simply gets File not found. They foul up backups as XP ain’t
smart enough to ask „Do you want to skip this file?“ but just grinds
the copy to a standstill.
How to get rid of them?

http://www.bootdisk.com/utility.htm
GENERAL FILE UTILITIES
Stubborn File Deleters

 

[ju.c]

These are the best apps for file deletion, all free.
(You can't delete a folder if you have it opened)

Unlocker 1.8.7 237 KB
Info: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
Download: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/unlocker1.8.7.exe

KillBox 90 KB
Info: http://www.killbox.net/
Download: http://www.killbox.net/downloads/KillBox.exe

FileASSASSIN 1.06 163 KB
Info: http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php
Download: http://www.malwarebytes.org/fa-setup.exe

DelinvFile - Delete Invalid Files and Folders
Info: http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/index.htm
Download: http://www.purgeie.com/dl/divfinst.exe


This is a trick to delete an undeletable file by restoring a file over it with a file
created with the same name using a drive imaging program.

Instructions:

1. Create a text file and write in it a couple of letters.
2. Save that file in your root drive (C: for example) with the
same exact name and extension as the file you want to delete.
3. Now make a backup your new file (I used Acronis True Image).
4. Open your backup program and restore the file you created to
the folder where the undeletable file is, overwriting it.
4. Now you can delete it!
5. Run chkdsk


ju.c