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29 Replies Last post: May 21, 2008 9:57 AM by Number3124 Go to original post 1 2 Previous Next

kycdh

11 posts since
May 19, 2008

15. May 20, 2008 8:59 AM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

The date on the file indicates that I was loading jpegs from my Sony camera at the time. It was probably a typo on a copy command by me. A comma instead of a period, but XP should not have allowed this.

Number3124

1,076 posts since
Apr 21, 2007

16. May 20, 2008 9:14 AM

in response to: kycdh

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

Have you tried using a file shredder to overwrite the file instead of just deleting it? SpyBot S&D comes with one.

"If they give you ruled paper write the other way"-dedication of Fahrenheit 451
Stick to games Microsoft! Leave the big stuff to the real programmers. Support Linux, Mozilla, and Open Office.org in the Open Source Revolution!!!

mphenterprises

9,120 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

17. May 20, 2008 9:50 AM

in response to: kycdh

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

Okay. I did a couple of test and here is what I determined:

I created a test text file test.,txt and I was able to delete the file

I created a test .jpg file test.,jpg and I was able to delete the file

You are right. Windows should not have allowed this but in both instances, I was able to delete the file.

ADDED:

I noticed that your original post reference *,jpg. I tried my experiment using this formatting and I was still able to delete the files.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

mcbarker

732 posts since
Aug 10, 2006

18. May 20, 2008 12:05 PM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

Is the file name literally *,JPG (Complete with asterisk)? If so, the asterisk is the problem since it's a filename wildcard, and as such, is not an allowed filename character in either a file or a folder. I believe that a comma is allowed in naming files and folders.

Old Scottish Saying: A deaf man will hear the clink o’ money.

mphenterprises

9,120 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

19. May 20, 2008 12:26 PM

in response to: mcbarker

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

Hi MCBarker. I think he was just using the asterisk as a placeholder. I tried to create a filename using an asterisk and I received this message:

Click on the image to expand it

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

kycdh

11 posts since
May 19, 2008

20. May 20, 2008 1:01 PM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

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

9,120 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

21. May 20, 2008 1:13 PM

in response to: kycdh

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

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.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

kycdh

11 posts since
May 19, 2008

22. May 20, 2008 1:28 PM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

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

9,120 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

23. May 20, 2008 1:45 PM

in response to: kycdh

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

Well I tell you, I do not see many options for you. I tried to save a file as <star><comma><jpg>. (*,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.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

kycdh

11 posts since
May 19, 2008

24. May 20, 2008 1:49 PM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

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

732 posts since
Aug 10, 2006

25. May 20, 2008 1:54 PM

in response to: kycdh

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

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

Old Scottish Saying: A deaf man will hear the clink o’ money.

Number3124

1,076 posts since
Apr 21, 2007

26. May 20, 2008 2:56 PM

in response to: kycdh

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

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

11 posts since
May 19, 2008

27. May 20, 2008 8:09 PM

in response to: Number3124

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

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

9,120 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

28. May 20, 2008 8:19 PM

in response to: kycdh

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

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."

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

Number3124

1,076 posts since
Apr 21, 2007

29. May 21, 2008 9:57 AM

in response to: kycdh

Re: Cannot delete XP invalid folder.

Cool, glad we could help.

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