HELP! "cannot read from the source file or disk" (oh no not again!)

  • Thread starter Thread starter dunce
  • Start date Start date
D

dunce

I am a simpleton and will happily sign any declaration to that effect (or an
even more damming one on request) if some kind soul will take pity on me.

I should say that I have google-searched the NGs for this particular query and
there is so much there that after 1 hour of failing to match my exact problem I
thought I would try the personal approach.

On my E: partition I have a folder which contains a nest of subfolders (I think
about 3 levels). When I click on the deepest level folder it appears to be
empty - even with "show hidden folders" enabled.

I would like to delete the whole containing folder if possible but I am getting
the all-too-often dreaded "cannot delete file: cannot read....".

Could anyone take me through the necessary keystrokes and provide the syntax in
the command prompt so that I can see the back of this thing for ever?

Desperate.
 
Hi,

Start/run type "cmd" (no quotes), click ok.

From the command prompt, run CD\
C:\<gobbledygook>CD\

Then <drive>:
C:\>E:

Then CD\<folder housing parent folder that you wish to remove>, if the
parent folder is not on the root of E:.

Then RD /s /q <name of parent folder that you wish to remove>
E:\>RD /s /q <parentfolder>

You may find it beneficial to run "chkdsk E: /r" from the cmd prompt before
doing this. You may need to reboot for this to run if the drive cannot be
dismounted (meaning it's in use).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Hi,

Start/run type "cmd" (no quotes), click ok.

From the command prompt, run CD\
C:\<gobbledygook>CD\

Then <drive>:
C:\>E:

Then CD\<folder housing parent folder that you wish to remove>, if the
parent folder is not on the root of E:.

Then RD /s /q <name of parent folder that you wish to remove>
E:\>RD /s /q <parentfolder>

You may find it beneficial to run "chkdsk E: /r" from the cmd prompt before
doing this. You may need to reboot for this to run if the drive cannot be
dismounted (meaning it's in use).
Click to expand...

much obliged (left out the gobbledygook bit).
That was almost as much a relief as having an aching tooth out. (you don't do
root-canal do you?)

thanks
 
(you don't do root-canal do you?)

Nope, and if my dentist even mentions one I tell'em to get out the pliers,
'cause that tooth is coming out. Glad to have helped.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
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