Cannot delete an empty folder in XP Home 'My Documents"

RichardAD · Guest

I have a folder containing 0 bytes that I cannot delete. The folder is not
read-only or hidden.
When I try to delete the folder I get the following error message:- Cannot
delete file - cannot read from source file or disk. I also get the same
error message when I try to rename the folder or, drag it to the recycle bin
or use the highlite & delete key.
The folder was leftover from when I was trying to copy a DVD so I've run HD
searches using the folder name to see if there were any other hidden
instances of it but on showed up. I then tried unsuccessfully to delete the
offending folder by stopping each and every process in the Task Manager.
I've search the various Discussion Groups for similar problems and have
tried all the suggestions that are shown. I've also searched online and
tried numerous suggestions that I found but they were all unsuccessful.
I realize this folder is only a nuisance but I'd really like to get rid of it.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks.

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TaurArian [MS-MVP] · Guest

Have you tried in safe mode?

I've used - Utility for Deleting Invalid Files
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm
For invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem

Use at your own risk though.

--
====================================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
====================================
How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
Defending your machine: http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://taurarian.mvps.org/index.htm

Emails will not be acknowledged - please post to the newsgroup so all may benefit.

"RichardAD" <RichardAD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A4F9E887-DCD5-4CA9-8000-0936323384AD@microsoft.com...
|I have a folder containing 0 bytes that I cannot delete. The folder is not
| read-only or hidden.
| When I try to delete the folder I get the following error message:- Cannot
| delete file - cannot read from source file or disk. I also get the same
| error message when I try to rename the folder or, drag it to the recycle bin
| or use the highlite & delete key.
| The folder was leftover from when I was trying to copy a DVD so I've run HD
| searches using the folder name to see if there were any other hidden
| instances of it but on showed up. I then tried unsuccessfully to delete the
| offending folder by stopping each and every process in the Task Manager.
| I've search the various Discussion Groups for similar problems and have
| tried all the suggestions that are shown. I've also searched online and
| tried numerous suggestions that I found but they were all unsuccessful.
| I realize this folder is only a nuisance but I'd really like to get rid of it.
| Does anyone have any suggestions?
| Thanks.
|
|

RichardAD · Guest

Thank you for the suggestion. I downloaded 'PurgeIE' and got the following
message when I search for an invalid folder name: Folder ends with ' ' -
C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\My Documents\THE_QUEEN

However, when I tried to delete the folder, rename it, and to delete it at
boot I was unsuccessful. I've tried to do this in both normal and safe modes
without success.

I'd be most grateful for any more suggestions (other than reinstalling
Windows!!)?
===================================

"TaurArian [MS-MVP]" wrote:

TaurArian [MS-MVP] · Guest

http://www.subratam.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=41
Another is Killbox, here: http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip

Have you defragged and done a little housekeeping - sometimes that helps.

--
====================================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
====================================
How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
Defending your machine: http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://taurarian.mvps.org/index.htm

Emails will not be acknowledged - please post to the newsgroup so all may benefit.

"RichardAD" <RichardAD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0043AB3F-6B12-4193-BCCE-C3C0FB96C731@microsoft.com...
| Thank you for the suggestion. I downloaded 'PurgeIE' and got the following
| message when I search for an invalid folder name: Folder ends with ' ' -
| C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\My Documents\THE_QUEEN
|
| However, when I tried to delete the folder, rename it, and to delete it at
| boot I was unsuccessful. I've tried to do this in both normal and safe modes
| without success.
|
| I'd be most grateful for any more suggestions (other than reinstalling
| Windows!!)?
| ===================================
|
| "TaurArian [MS-MVP]" wrote:
|
| > Have you tried in safe mode?
| >
| > I've used - Utility for Deleting Invalid Files
| > http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm
| > For invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem
| >
| > Use at your own risk though.
| >
| > --
| > ====================================
| > TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
| > ====================================
| > How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
| > Defending your machine: http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
| > http://taurarian.mvps.org/index.htm
| >
| > Emails will not be acknowledged - please post to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
| >
| >
| > "RichardAD" <RichardAD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
| > news:A4F9E887-DCD5-4CA9-8000-0936323384AD@microsoft.com...
| > |I have a folder containing 0 bytes that I cannot delete. The folder is not
| > | read-only or hidden.
| > | When I try to delete the folder I get the following error message:- Cannot
| > | delete file - cannot read from source file or disk. I also get the same
| > | error message when I try to rename the folder or, drag it to the recycle bin
| > | or use the highlite & delete key.
| > | The folder was leftover from when I was trying to copy a DVD so I've run HD
| > | searches using the folder name to see if there were any other hidden
| > | instances of it but on showed up. I then tried unsuccessfully to delete the
| > | offending folder by stopping each and every process in the Task Manager.
| > | I've search the various Discussion Groups for similar problems and have
| > | tried all the suggestions that are shown. I've also searched online and
| > | tried numerous suggestions that I found but they were all unsuccessful.
| > | I realize this folder is only a nuisance but I'd really like to get rid of it.
| > | Does anyone have any suggestions?
| > | Thanks.
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
| >

RichardAD · Guest

Killbox didn't work either.
Yes, I've defragged and run chkdsk.
I guess I'm going to have to live with the folder until I reinstall Windows
at a future date.
Thanks for your time and help.
========================

"TaurArian [MS-MVP]" wrote:

ENGANT · Guest

hello
i have the same problem with you
Have you contacted MS???Nothing happened with the methods you wrote....
Thank u

"RichardAD" wrote: