Problem Issue with deleting a file in Windows

Discussion in 'Software' started by Arroryn, Jan 14, 2011.

  1. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    And before anyone says anything, yes, I've Googled it.

    I have a user with a file on their desktop that can't be deleted. It's not causing system issues, it's more of an irritation. And the fact I can't solve the problem is irritating me to high hell.

    The user has Windows XP SP3.

    The file is "blank" in terms it has a file name, but no file extension, and is 0KB in size. It has an icon, which matches the standard Windows icon for files with no existing or recognised extension type. We'll call it the f*****g file, or FF for short... :dry

    If you right-click and delete, you get the standard 'cannot read from source disk' - Windows doesn't think the file is there, exists, has any right to take real estate on the desktop, etc.

    I have tried browsing to the computer from my machine and deleting (in case it was a permissions issue, I'm a domain admin). Same issue.

    I've tried starting in Safe Mode and deleting it. Nope.

    I've tried deleting it through the command prompt - even that *knows* it's there - it names the FF in the blooming directory for Jeff's sake! But again, file not found error. Grrr.

    I have also tried adding it as a malicious entity and AV scanning her PC. Not only is the PC clean as a whistle, it didn't go anywhere near the file either. Have also tried CCleaner.

    So. Err... help?
     
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  2. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    This may sound like a cheat, but have you thought about hiding the file? The file is not visible, no problem, lol

    I believe that we came across this before, just trying to remember what we did... Once I remember, I'll post it here :)

    -ken
     
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  3. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Have you tried this?

    -Ken
     
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  4. soundian

    soundian Gigabyte Poster

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    I've seen it suggested a couple of times that stopping explorer.exe and deleting from cmd works (these are 0KB file with no extension).
    Worth a try since if you haven't done so already.

    EDIT: Beaten to it.
     
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  5. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    Tried the explorer.exe fix, no game, it still insists it's not there.

    Also tried hiding it, but the file (which isn't read only) did not remember the setting.

    ARGH!!!!!!
     
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  6. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    But thanks for the quick replies! Please oh please keep them coming!
     
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  7. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    I've had this before, and for the life of me I can't remember how I fixed it.

    I know that isn't exactly what you might call helpful, but at least I'm making conversation... :oops:

    I may have done something daft like a repair install of XP in the end.

    Honestly, can't remember.

    But, and here's the really irritating bit - whatever I did, it worked perfectly.

    Problem solved.


    At least, mine was, you've still got yours.


    If I can be of any more help, just let me know.
     
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  8. Notes_Bloke

    Notes_Bloke Terabyte Poster

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    I've used this util in the past to get rid of problem files, and one called Dr Delete.


    HTH

    NB
     
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  9. gosh1976

    gosh1976 Kilobyte Poster

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    What about changing the icon to an image that's just a pixel! Then the user will never know it's there. Oh never mind the file name would still be there! Unless you can rename it to just one letter. Then there will just be a random letter and dot instead of a big icon! :)
     
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  10. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

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    Drop into DOS and try deleting it from there

    If that doesn't work, try a file delete utility like Unlocker (can't find a link)

    Failing that, boot from a Linux Live CD and delete it from there (it's probably a moody NTFS problem)
     
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  11. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Did you reboot? :twisted:

    Sorry, couldn't resist. It had to be said. :p
     
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  12. nugget
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    nugget Junior toady

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    Here's a link for unlocker. Damn good program too.

    Have you tried giving the file a file extension and then trying to delete?
     
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  13. Shinigami

    Shinigami Megabyte Poster

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    Moody NTFS problems could possibly be fixed with a scandisk as well...
     
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  14. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Can you rename the desktop folder in the users profile to say desktop.old? Then create a new folder called desktop and copy the files back into that folder minus the file that is causing the problems.
     
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  15. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    I can't move, rename, hide or otherwise manipulate the file in any manner.

    I have some *quality* time on the user's desktop this weekend, so will try the variety of software fixes (after dropping completely in to DOS as per Zeb).

    Thanks all, tip top as always :thumbleft

    And BM ... *thwack*
     
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  16. Fergal1982

    Fergal1982 Petabyte Poster

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    Either boot from a Linux Live CD, or rip the drive out and hook it up to another drive as a secondary drive - if you have a drive caddy that makes it particularly easy to hook up.

    Theres always the rebuild option. In the past when I have had similar issues (although that was possibly due to the suspect source of some of the files I was downloading), a boot to Safe Mode did the trick. When you tried safe mode, are you logged in as the user, or local admin?)

    Finally [channels Freddy] Thats the problem with you windows techs, always pointing and clicking, pointing and click. whats with all the pointing and clicking? Why dont you install a proper OS onto it instead? Linux is taking over the desktop world - get with it![/channels]
     
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  17. BosonMichael
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    Sorry, hippie... all the good answers had already been taken! :p
     
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  18. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Even the folder its in? gah! :biggrin
     
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  19. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    Can you login to the machine as and Administrator, browse to the file location then take ownership and remove NTFS inheritence and change NTFS permissions and then delete it.
     
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  20. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    I found this.

    Hopefully this will do the trick :)

    -Ken
     
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