How can I delete a file that Windows XP can't find or delete? The
file's name is in the system's directory somewhere... because when I
try to back up to my 2nd hard drive (internal)--by copying some
directories--  the copy halts. The system tells me it can't find this
particular file to copy....Though of course, it finds the file enough
to let it halt the whole process. I can find the file in a directory,
manually, in effect-- but then can't rename the file, delete it, or do
anything with it. I though of using  Norton to "wipe" it but my Norton
Systems Works 5.02 doesn't seem to want to tell me how to get to that
option (The option exists, and Norton tells me all about it, but
doesn't tell me how to get to the screen to use it.)

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Request for Question Clarification by skermit-ga on 24 Nov 2002 09:40 PST

What's the name of the file you're trying to delete? It maybe a
hidden, or system file which mayb e the reason it's giving you and
error... Or it might be in use currently and might not be able to be
deleted at the moment. If you're trying to backup your drive, the best
thing would be to use a utility which can automatically copy
hidden/system/in-use files/etc.

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Clarification of Question by bbb-ga on 24 Nov 2002 10:08 PST

It's not a system file. It's a WP file which I accidentally renamed
without "doc." so it's something like V17 -- just text charatcters. I
can't rename it as v17.doc, either, as I've mentioned.

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Clarification of Question by bbb-ga on 24 Nov 2002 10:11 PST

In fact, it's named something like "V17 save if the other is
unusable." (The quote marks are only delimiters here; they're not in
the file name...but the preiod is there as a remnant of the name in
".doc" format.


I assume it has something to do with the length of the name?

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Clarification of Question by bbb-ga on 24 Nov 2002 10:12 PST

...Length of the name, as I was saying,....and I've noticed before
that long file names cause the COPY function to halt, even though the
system allows them. A nice piece of stupidity, that -- a file name
which is OK until you try to back up the file! -- which I'd appreciate
help with, too, if it seems related enough.

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Request for Question Clarification by skermit-ga on 24 Nov 2002 10:24 PST

Okay, next question, where exactly is this file located? Can you do a
Run-->Search-->For Files or Folders and find the file's location?

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Request for Question Clarification by secret901-ga on 24 Nov 2002 12:16 PST

Hi bbb,
Can you use the Command Prompt (Start->Accessories->Command Prompt) to
navigate to the directory where your file is located?  Then, type "del
" then press tab until your file appears at the cursor then press
enter to see if that works.
secret901-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by legolas-ga on 24 Nov 2002 13:45 PST

Please go to:

"My Computer"
then, "Right Click on the Drive C Icon",
then, "Select Properties"
Select "tools" then "Check Drive for Errors" - this will require a
reboot. When finished, you should be able to delete the file. Please
let me know if it does work or not. If not, there are other things to
try.

Thanks!

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Clarification of Question by bbb-ga on 24 Nov 2002 15:24 PST

to skermit-ga: it's in an ordinary WP directory with 2 other WP files.

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Clarification of Question by bbb-ga on 24 Nov 2002 15:26 PST

to secret901-ga:
Um..I gather you're talking about using the DOS prompt. Maybe I can
get to that in XP, but I think there's no "accessories" function in
the XP system. Is there another way to get to a DOS prompt?

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Clarification of Question by bbb-ga on 24 Nov 2002 15:27 PST

to legolas-ga:
I will try this, thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by secret901-ga on 24 Nov 2002 16:05 PST

bbb,
To get to the DOS prompt, open Start->All Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt.
Sorry for the confusion.
secret901-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by legolas-ga on 24 Nov 2002 16:45 PST

One other thing.. Please go to the properties of the file in question:
and then go to security.. Make sure you have FULL CONTROL of the file.

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Request for Question Clarification by legolas-ga on 25 Nov 2002 09:42 PST

Can you confirm if anything was successful in helping you delete the file?

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Request for Question Clarification by legolas-ga on 26 Nov 2002 22:01 PST

Just hoping for clarification if the suggestions above worked?

Thanks,

Legolas-ga

Dear BBB:

Your question about deleting an undeletable file is very intruguing.
Often times in my personal life, I have to manipulate files (copy
them, move them) without Windows' interaction and interference.

My solution is simply to use a different operating system to copy,
move, or in your case, delete the files. You can get versions of Linux
that will boot straight from CD, without needing to be installed or
anything. One such thing is here:

ftp://ftp.gtlib.cc.gatech.edu/pub/gentoo/releases/1.4_rc1/x86/livecd-basic-1.4_rc1-r2.iso

Just take this "ISO Image", and burn it to a CD. Anyone who has a CD
burner can do this.

To boot from this CD, just put it in and boot your system. You may
have to set your BIOS to boot from CD. Once it loads, you have to
mount the filesystem you want to delete the file from. You can do it
like this.

mkdir /hd
mount -t ntfs /dev/hda1 /hd

Then you can use Linux commands to find and delete the file. It's a
bit like MS-DOS or the Windows Command Prompt. These are all the
commands you need:

cd - change directory, just like MSDOS
ls - like "dir", list files
rm - remove, like "del"

If you need any help getting this done, please request a
clarification, I'd be glad to help more.

--
samrolken-ga

I have to give this high points for suggesting something that most
people might not think of, and something that might be very thorough.
On the other hand, it's a bit tricky (not hugely, but "a bit" can grow
much bigger, with computer stuff, as we all know). Also, it does seem
as though one essential point is glossed over, just a bit. "You may
have to set your BIOS to boot from CD." Samrolken-ga was kind enough
to offer to help more, but I do think that deserved a bit more
explanation on the way. (I know that the acronym means Basic
Input-Output System, and that it's a kind of low-level neural doorway
close to the machine's lizard brain--which is a lot to know, before
breakfast--but I don't know how to set it. (And do I set it BEFORE I
try the external boot? Or DURING that boot? And then when do I un-set
it back to where it was?) That should really have been included.

All that set, this was a truly original idea and one that might be
valuable in other emergency situations, no? I'd like to know
more...where can I find out about "Throwing your operating system a
Linux lifeline" (my journalistic spirit is ready with a headline)?

And all THAT said, I have to say that I haven't had time to try ANY of
this. Including the other intriguing suggestions.....

It seems possible that the problem stems from the '.'
which was left at the end of the filename. I don't 
know for sure, but now I'm hesitant to experiment 
with it on my own system.  :)

is the drive which this is happening on formatted NTFS?  I've had a
similar problem where i was unable to delete files on an NTFS
partition but i was able to move the file to a FAT32 partition and
delete it from there.  Also you could try booting into safe mode(press
f8 at boot time) and try to delete the file from there.

Hi,

I searched Google for the keywords

delete undeletable

and found this:

http://www.petri.co.il/delete_undeletable_files.htm

Hope this helps
Bio

Hello,
This is my first post to Google Answers, and english is not my native
language, so please forgive my poor english.

Generally, a file undeletable in explorer could be manually deleted by
using Dos Command :
Start Menu\Run\cmd.exe
cd <to the path where the file is located>
del /f "example of filename with spaces"
or
del /f "filename" to force deleting read only marked files

--> If you encounter an access denied error, a useful but not very
known tip is running the cmd.exe with SYSTEM privileges. This is done
by starting a regular command prompt, then typing

AT 09:17 /INTERACTIVE CMD.EXE
-> where 09:17 is the actual time at the windows clock + 1 minute

Please note that the Task Scheduler service must be running before
typing this command, else it will fail with this error message:
The service has not been started.

(
Start the service if it isn't disabled by typing at the prompt :
NET START SCHEDULE
)

The AT command add a scheduled job. Just wait 9:17, and a command
prompt with SYSTEM privileges will pop up.
Change to the directory where the file reside and delete it manually.

With this "AT trick", you could even browse the directory that are not
accessible with Explorer like the "System Volume Information"
directory which exists at the root of every NTFS drive (must have the
view system files checked to see it in explorer).

Additionnal command:
dir /as : to see file with system attributes
dir /ah : to see file with hidden attributes
dir /ahs : to see both
del /s *.* : to delete all files from subdirectories
del /s /q *.* : to delete all files from subdirectories without
confirm
rd mydir : to remove an empty directory
rd /s mydir : to remove an non empty directory and all his
subdirectories


HTH

Largo.