Topic: Way OT why can't I get rid of an empty folder??? (Read 2398 times)

bebop · « **on:** September 06, 2004, 10:29:32 am »

One would think that getting rid of a folder would be easy...but I have one or two that just won't go

!! I have checked, they are empty (both are in my music directory) , made sure that I had "show hidden files" checked in the folder options, and even tried the shift+del to bypass the recycle bin....and zip, zilch, nada!!! those pesky little folders are still there! I can't move them, rename them or copy them...I get a msg that windows can't find the source file or disk. My copying my tunes onto a separate removable HD keeps coming to a standstill when it reaches these folders (it took me ages to find out which ones were causing the problem and exclude them from the copy process).
What's up with these folders??? I googled the problem, but was swamped with every folder question you can imagine EXCEPT this one!! Am I the only person who has this happening with XP? Anyone know what I can try next? ?

marko · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2004, 12:38:06 pm »

Hi Bet.
Did you try running scandisk or chkdsk (2000/xp) on the drive?

Quote

I get a msg that windows can't find the source file or disk.

scandisk should be able to fix this for you. It's just a corrupt entry pointing to a directory that doesn't exist.

open 'my computer', right click on the drive that contains the offending folders, choose properties from the menu. Look on the 'tools' tab and then choose "check for errors" or similar. You may find that the volume is locked by windows. If that happens, you'll be offered the option of scheduling the check for the next time you reboot. Take the option, then reboot.

-marko.

KingSparta · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2004, 12:45:06 pm »

It Maybe as marko said, and was the first thing I thought of also

Jaguu · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2004, 01:44:06 pm »

The folder is locked and gets usually unlocked simply by rebooting. Don't usually need to run scandisk

bebop · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2004, 02:39:10 pm »

Thanks, guys, gonna give it a try...will keep you posted on my progress, or lack therof!

Bet

bebop · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2004, 02:51:22 pm »

$:-\$ Well, tried the scandisk, chkdsk thing...had to reboot to get it to check, but it reported no errors, and those drated files are still there and just as unmovable as ever!! any other things I can try? Bet

IlPadrino · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2004, 03:10:06 pm »

Quote from: bebop on September 06, 2004, 02:51:22 pm

$:-\$ Well, tried the scandisk, chkdsk thing...had to reboot to get it to check, but it reported no errors, and those drated files are still there and just as unmovable as ever!! any other things I can try? Bet

I remember I once had a problem deleting a directory because it had some silly character in it. It was created by someone who was hijacking my FTP server. Perhaps you can try deleting it through the DOS prompt using the short filemane.

Robert Taylor · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2004, 06:03:00 pm »

Try going to Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Event Viewer

Clear all your events, and then try deleting the pesky folders again, then re-check the Event Viewer to see if there are any messages relating to disk errors etc.

AnalogRoaming · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2004, 06:27:14 pm »

You're definitely not the only one.

Have you tried deleting them from Safe Mode? Most of the time, this happens because something is trying to use the folder. Sometimes it's a service, sometimes it's another Explorer window, sometimes it's another computer.

If you can delete it in Safe Mode, then that's usually what is happening... some service or resident program (check your tray) is using that folder.

bebop · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2004, 11:57:06 pm »

will give every suggestion a go in the morning....have to get the paycheques done for tomorrow! Thanks in advance everyone. and will keep you posted if I see any progress. Bet

bebop · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2004, 11:05:51 am »

Sorry guys, tried every suggestion and nothing worked...these stupid folders are really driving me nuts!
I'm beginning to think that a drive format may be my only hope...have one more thing to try read in PC mag that sometimes sneaky persons put an extra extension onto to files ---so gonna find that mag and try their solution before I reformat.

Bet

Sam · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2004, 11:52:43 am »

I had that problem and got that same message when I had many, many nested layers of folders with very long filenames. Apparently, the path name for that final folder was too long. Shortening the names of the folders solved my problem.

Michel Lefebvre · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2004, 01:45:15 pm »

Quote from: Sam on September 07, 2004, 11:52:43 am

I had that problem and got that same message when I had many, many nested layers of folders with very long filenames. Apparently, the path name for that final folder was too long. Shortening the names of the folders solved my problem.

I had the same thing happen to me a few times... Took a while to figure that one out!

M

hit_ny · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2004, 02:01:06 pm »

Quote from: Sam on September 07, 2004, 11:52:43 am

I had that problem and got that same message when I had many, many nested layers of folders with very long filenames. Apparently, the path name for that final folder was too long. Shortening the names of the folders solved my problem.

i'm betting this might be it as well.

See if you can move the folder you want to delete to the root of the directory (just drag in windows explorer). Try and delete the dir from there.

bebop · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2004, 09:09:27 pm »

Nothing worked....checked the file names, tweeked the msconfig so that all the file extensions were visible. tried deleting in dos(can't beleive how much I've forgotten 'bout syntax in DOS. Good thing i still have my old manuals). Tried changing the filename (nope, couldn't do it) tried using explorer and the drag and drop thing...still no go. Did find that it had a second extension, and that it showed up multiple times when I changed the msconfig to get rid of the nevershow ext. stuff. Sadly, I spent the afternoon formating the drive and then replacing my media files (which I fortunately had backed up minus those pesky folders). Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions!

Michel Lefebvre · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2004, 09:12:22 pm »

Sometimes, on a format will solve the problem... Dear Microsoft... You got to love them, but then sometimes.... :-)

bebop · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2004, 09:28:51 pm »

I hear you, Michel, but am too tired to drag my soapbox out for a little rant!! Gonna chill with a little glass of chardonay and listen to some tunes accompanied with G-Force, and I'll be feeling better in no time

Bet

Listening to: 'You Are Everything' from 'Duets' by 'Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye' on Media Center 10

Omni · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2004, 09:32:55 pm »

Have you searched your registry to make sure that somehow Windows didn't mark that directory as a "shared" directory?

Michel Lefebvre · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2004, 09:38:57 pm »

Quote from: bebop on September 07, 2004, 09:28:51 pm

Listening to: 'You Are Everything' from 'Duets' by 'Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye' on Media Center 10

Yes, that and a glass of chardonay will do the trick!

Michel.

NaTeDoGG · « **Reply #19 on:** September 07, 2004, 09:49:46 pm »

Try running Process Explorer (link below) and use it to search for a file handle of the name of your mystery folder. This will tell you what, if any, program has an open file handle. You can even force the program to close the file handle so you can delete the folder. Great little trick for when Windows holds on to a file when it shouldn't! However, you are saying it says it can find the file? Wierd.

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

Oops... just realized you already formatted. Ah well.

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Author Topic: Way OT why can't I get rid of an empty folder??? (Read 2398 times)