[kycdh]

It matters not if "*" is a placeholder, what matters is that I cannot erase, move, rename, (using any tricks or ^key or other logical device). What I really need is a hard drive sector level editor for NTFS but I don't know of any.

If this file cannot be removed, then the only recourse is (swallow, gulp) Microsoft help at $59 a pop, or worse still, reformat.

Per # 2134's advice, Any shredder must recognize the file/folder as legal before it can shred anything.

[mphenterprises]

Can you please tell us the exact naming of this file? As stated, I had no problems deleting test .jpg files, or any type of test file, with a comma after the period. It would be a waste to either pay Microsoft or reformat for something that you should be able to do yourself.

[kycdh]

As originally stated, the file name is <star><comma><jpg>.

*,jpg

The XP error reported is always: The Filename, directory or volume label syntax is incorrect.

[mphenterprises]

Well I tell you, I do not see many options for you. I tried to save a file as . (*,jpg) but no application would allow that file to be saved as such. I don't know what you did or how you did it but other than the two options that you obviously do not want to do, the only thing I can suggest is to just hide the file and be done with it.

I am sure it is not taking up more than a KB or so. To pay $59 to get rid of that one file is ridiculous and to reformat because one file will not delete is insane. Right Click on the file and select Properties. Under the Attributes, select Hidden and chalk this up to a lesson learned.

[kycdh]

mphenterprises: you miss the point.

I can no longer back up as the file scanner ALWAYS detects an invalid file and aborts back up.

For professional reasons, I must back up every day!

[mcbarker]

I'm guessing that the only advice you'll get for your $59 from MS is to do a system restore or reformat. Is the folder empty, and if so, did you try placing a file into it (any non system file), then try deleting? I'm grasping at straws now... Did you check the "properties" of the folder, click the Security tab, and check that your login account has Full Control and Take Ownership priveleges? When you used Unlocker, after unlocking the folder, did you try the Delete option instead of the Rename option (you never did say)? You said you tried deleting it in Safe Mode, but did you try Safe Mode with Command Prompt? Is it possible that your antivirus is seeing the folder as protected, as is stopping you from removing the folder?


You could also try a program called MoveOnBoot



Also, check out this MS web page: TAKING OWNERSHIP OF A FILE

[Number3124]

If you really need to get rid of it you could try a Live Linux boot disk, which allows you to boot in to Linux without in installing it, to get access to the file and delete it .

[kycdh]

SUCCESS! Joy to the world.

I had tried Ubuntu, but when the problem file/folder was "deleted", the Trash-can would report empty, no matter what other stuff was in it and so could not be emptied!

When XP was booted, the file/folder was still there but labeled .Trash-Ubuntu and the monster was still inside.

This last time, I simply renamed the monster under Ubuntu, rebooted XP and was able to delete it!!!

My back-up is now running fine.



Thank you, all you good people for your splendid support and all your ideas.

A grateful KYCDH.

[mphenterprises]

I am glad that we were able to help resolve your problem. This threw a lot of us for a loop. As a final step, since you have this Discussion marked as "Answered," please select the two (2) posts that you feel were "Helpful" and the post that you feel was "Correct."

[Number3124]

Cool, glad we could help.