Windows won't delete

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Yv

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Yvonne, pronounced Eve...
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:bang: OK, had nearly 12 hours sleep, which is way too much and my brain is still off in lalaa land, need some help please.

On saturday, I opened some images from an external hard drive into CS3, cropped them ready for printing, then on first one clicked File>Save As, which opened the usual save box. I asked it to create a new folder on my desktop [as it was only going to be there a few minutes until burned to cd then deleted], named it, doubled clicked it to open it then clicked 'save' to save the image into it. The usual jpg box opened making sure I wanted to save it at current maximum quality compression, clicked ok and that would normally be it. Except it wasn't. It then flashed up an error message 'cannot complete 'save as' operation due to program error' EH!?!?!

ok, minimised cs3, opened the folder on the desktop and the file is there, so went back to CS3 and tried with next image, same thing happens.

So, closed cs3 and bridge, which was also open, and started again. This time I created a new folder within 'my pictures' and all was well. I was in a hurry so decided to worry about the folder on the desktop later.

So, here I am today, with a folder on my desktop that is some 13MB's, and will not delete. Everytime i try it just says 'cannot read from source file or disc' You will recall at the beginning of this ramble that I said the images came from an external HD, well that is turned on and functioning ok, so I have no idea why it wont let me get rid and cannot for the life of me recall how to force a deletion. HELP!! Please! :shake:
 
What's the name of the folder ? To force a deletion hold the shift key down as you hit the delete key. However, if this is possible due to some weirdness in contention locking (had this a few times myself) open a dos box (start run cmd in the prompt) and use that to delete it.
 
if all else fails start windows in safe mode & delete the folder / files.
 
Try selecting the desktop (just click anyway), and F5.
Also, a reboot (I know you may have already done, if you have, doesnt matter :))

Also, is it a shortcut or a file?
Right click the icon in question, and select properties
If it's a shortcut, there will be a 'Find Target' button.

Also, try looking in these two folders

C:\Users\{yourname**\Desktop
C:\Users\Public\Desktop (this is a hidden folder, change your folder options to get into this)

Check if the files are listed in there, see if you can delete them from there :)
 
OK, it wont delete through command prompt either. A DIR command on the desktop shows it as a directory, but when you try running any other commands on it, either to change to it or delete it, it says the system cannot find the specified path. :thinking:

Its definately not a shortcut, although its almost as if windows thinks it it. Properties show it as a normal folder. I have deleted the 2 image files that were in it through normal windows, but still cannot delete the folder itself. Nor can I move it to another folder such as my documents.

Marcel, tried all the things you mention with no luck, havent tried booting in safe mode yet.
 
here is the cmd screenshot, its the folder called 'horse' I am having problems with.

cmd.jpg
 
del <directory> deletes the contents of the directory, not the directory itself. use rd <directory> or rmdir for the full command.
 
aha!! ok, found something, though still cant delete, but might help with the solution, not sure. I rightclicked and selected rename - the folder name has a space at the end so its actually called 'horse ', if that makes sense. I have tried using that in cmd to delete but still no joy :shrug:
 
try rd "horse "
 
Yvonne I'd be fascinated to see if you manage to resolve this problem. I've had a folder on my desktop on my PC at work for 2 years that I've never yet managed to delete, and I've tried all the above suggestions and then some! :bang: Mine was a folder downloaded from an FTP site that was deleted while I was downloading it if you see what I mean.

Sorry, no help I know but I just wanted you to know I'm feeling your pain :)
 
LadyLens said:
unlocker wont work slapo, its XP 64, will look at the other stuff ;)

edit: its been 5 years since I did this stuff at college, please remind me how to use quotes for absolute path?
Click to expand...

yourcommand "C:\Documents and Settings\Slapo\Desktop"
That's it :D

XP x64 is good, except for the lack of software supporting it :(
Had to go with XP Pro (32-bit) instead.
 
Can you open the folder and delete the files inside it?

Can you rename the folder?

What are the permissions for the folder and files inside it? Have you tried changing them to full control and taking ownership?

Failing that it might be worth downloading an OS on a bootable CD, booting from that and trying in a dos prompt/shell window.
 
OK, tried all the above suggestions, using the correct deletion commands as suggested by jgs, using quotes, and every possible combination, including with and without the space that appears to be at the end of the name, all with no joy.

psi - I can open the folder and indeed have done so and deleted the 2 files that were in it with no problems, so at least it is an empty folder now. The only unusual thing was that as I deleted the first file, the folder window closed and I had to reopen it to delete the 2nd. It is not set to read only, or archive of any other unusual properties. I cannot rename, it gives the same error massage, cannot read from source file or disc.

Paul - glad to know I am not the only one :bonk:
 
Couple of things to try.

Click and Drag the folder to the recycle bin and then empty it.

Create a new folder on the desktop, drag the duff folder inside and then try deleting the new folder.

Open a dos prompt, go to the desktop folder and type:

dir /x

this will show the short dos filenames, then use RD using the shortname for the folder.
 
The only thing I can find that might work is to restart in safe mode and try deleting it through there.
 
Have you tried putting this folder in another folder, then deleting the host folder
 
pxl8, done that and got full name, and I can now get into it through cmd prmpt, it tells me there are still 2 files/folders in there, but even using the dir /x command, they have no names, just 1 full stop and then 2 full stops. will post a screenshot in a mo or two, but have tried deleting those but they still seem to be there.


edit: yes btw, I have tried moving it to other folders with no joy, same error message

cmd2.jpg
 
Those are system files and can't be deleted
 
So the folder moves very happily... that's odd. Every directory has 2 directories . and .. in they are reference pointers . for current directory and .. for parent directory. Removing the directory will remove those pointers. What happens if you move the directory to c:\ ? Can you rename it ?
 
Sorry chappers, didn't see your post ..
 
:woot::woot: done it!!

Used the rd /s horse~1 command and byebye folder!!

Thankyou everyone, thankyou so much, would never have worked it out on mu own, as I say, been too many years since I had to work in dos to remember how to do it all!
 
Excellent news :thumbs:
 
You could have tried

rd horsthen instead of pressing e, press the tab key to autocomplete the file ;)

Glad you're sorted though!
 
Nice to know that when all else fails, there is still the command line available to sort things out. ( provided you can remember all those old DOS commands)
 
try the following from the command prompt

RD "c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\horse~1" /s

too late
 
LadyLens said:
Again, thanks everyone, Hope Grendel is reading and maybe sorting out his 2 year old folder too ;)
Click to expand...

:D Yup, that RD command has just worked for me too :D Thanks guys :thumbs:
 
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