Problems deleting files on desktop

[Guest]

I saved two Word docs to my desktop. I don't know how the files became
corrupted but I can't open the files, delete or rename them. When I try to
do any of the above, I get an error message that says: "Cannot delete file:
Cannot read from the source file or disk." or the message says it can't read
the file, etc.

What's going on and what can I do?

Thanks.

 

[Malke]

I saved two Word docs to my desktop. I don't know how the files became
corrupted but I can't open the files, delete or rename them. When I try to
do any of the above, I get an error message that says: "Cannot delete file:
Cannot read from the source file or disk." or the message says it can't read
the file, etc.

What's going on and what can I do?

Have you rebooted? If not, please try that first. If yes, then run
Chkdsk /f.

How to use Chkdsk - http://tinyurl.com/2obcd
How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265/en-us


Malke

 

[Guest]

R.click the desktop,properties,desktop,customize,locate the desktop clean-up
utility,select "run now".....

 

[Guest]

thanks Andrew. I found the desktop clean-up utility but that only works for
icons. The list of desktop icons doesn't include the 2 Word docs.

Any other ideas?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. Would you explain why you're suggesting this?

 

[Malke]

Thanks for your reply. Would you explain why you're suggesting this?

Because the file system is out of whack - technical term ;-) - and 1)
rebooting is the first and easiest thing to try; 2) if rebooting doesn't
fix things Chkdsk will hopefully put it right by correcting the file
system errors. As a precaution, I suggest backing up your data before
running Chkdsk (although naturally you should be backing up regularly
anyway).


Malke

 

[Guest]

Hi Malke,

Sorry to be so tardy in responding. I got distracted and forgot to check
back for your reply (and I don't think I was notified when you replied).
Thanks for explaining. I'll try running chkdsk.

hjf