File that cannot be deleted

mathman

Recently I discovered a file (dated Feb. 13, 2011, time 8:07 P.M. (EST)) that cannot be deleted and does not respond to any commands, such as move, rename, open, etc. I have "unlocker assistant", but it doesn't work here.

The date stamp corresponds to a time when I was surfing Physics Forum and "physics form" is part of the file name. From what I was able to deduce I was in the General Math forum at that time. I believe I was looking at a question where there was a link to another file, which had to opened by "Open Office", so I presume I was looking at the linked file. Since then, that particular question no longer appears in the forum.

Any suggestions - I just want to get rid of it.

MATLABdude

Is this in Windows, Linux, or OS X? In general, you may be able to get rid of the file by clearing your cache (and forms, and downloaded files, etc. in whichever browser it is that you use (sorry for the broad stroke, but there's not so much to work with here!) If it persists, you may have to use the CS solution (i.e. reboot the machine, and then try again--sometimes you end up with odd sharing / file locking violations that prevent files from being touched).

Borg

If you're on Windows and really desperate to delete it, you could try booting up in Safe Mode. The file is probably being used by something that is always running in the background. Booting in Safe Mode will keep them from starting so that they can't grab and hold the files.

Jobrag

If you are running windows, get a LINUX boot disc, start in LINUX remove the file and then restart in windows.

mathman

My operating system is Windows XP. In general if a file is locked because something is using it, "unlocker assistant" will handle it. In this case, when trying to do anything with the file, the computer acts as if it is not there. For example, "properties" gives me a complete blank, including 0 file length, although windows explorer gives it a length.

Borg

Quote by mathman

My operating system is Windows XP. In general if a file is locked because something is using it, "unlocker assistant" will handle it. In this case, when trying to do anything with the file, the computer acts as if it is not there. For example, "properties" gives me a complete blank, including 0 file length, although windows explorer gives it a length.

Ah. A mystery file. Have you tried creating a file with the same name and then try to delete it? I have seen the OS get confused on a rare occasion thinking that a file is there when it isn't. The other thing that I would do is to search the registry to see if it's referenced there.

rcgldr

Try logging in as a different user and deleting the file. On my system, I have multiple hard drives, with a second instance of Windows installed on one of of the "other" hard drives. I boot into that for doing backups and if needed restores of the primary OS partitions. The second OS could also be used to delete files that the primary OS won't delete.

JaredJames

I've had this problem before. Windows can't touch it and sometimes throws up errors for it.

The only way to remove it was to boot in Linux. Even a fresh install of Windows couldn't touch it.

mathman

I tried safe mode and I got the same result (file can't be touched). I have no desire to do anything drastic, so if there is no relatively easy solution, I'll just leave it there.

JaredJames

Quote by mathman

I tried safe mode and I got the same result (file can't be touched). I have no desire to do anything drastic, so if there is no relatively easy solution, I'll just leave it there.

Download the ubuntu image from their website (main page).

Burn it to disc and boot from it. You can try out the OS without installing it, run it from the disc.

Using this you can see your windows files and delete it.

This should take an hour tops and most of that is because of downloading (20 minutes without download time).

Chronos

Try system restore. Use a restore point before the problem occured. This is effective against most viruses. I use two disc drives to prevent cross contamination of restore points. A worst case solution is to reformat your hard drive. Again, you need a second hard drive to make it less painful. Copy your non-system files you wish to save to the other drive. i have yet to hear of a bug that can't be killed that way, but, you need a second drive for this fix.

JaredJames

Quote by Chronos

This is effective against most viruses.

Unless the virus implants itself in there, which a lot of the new ones do.

Also, system restore doesn't affect your personal files. So it probably wouldn't touch this folder.

mathman

File has path C:\Documents and Settings\Herb\Local Settings\Temp\(file name)

I'm Herb

JaredJames

Quote by mathman

File has path C:\Documents and Settings\Herb\Local Settings\Temp\(file name)

I'm Herb

The file path is meaningless to us. You really need to try some of the solutions offered.

Again, I recommend you try the Linux boot disc method.

Borg

Quote by mathman

File has path C:\Documents and Settings\Herb\Local Settings\Temp\(file name)

I'm Herb

Just curious. What's the filename? Have you Googled it?

rcgldr

Quote by mathman

File has path C:\Documents and Settings\Herb\Local Settings\Temp\(file name)

In that case, logging on as another admistrator user should allow you to delete any files related to "Herb".

Pattonias

Have you tried using disk clean up? It should have an option to clean the Temp folder. If it doesn't need it in there, it will delete it. Is there any particular reason you need to delete it?

It may be the internet cache for that user, you could clear the cache in the browser and that may delete all the content of the file/folder.

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Borg Blog Entries: 1 Recognitions: Gold Member	If you're on Windows and really desperate to delete it, you could try booting up in Safe Mode. The file is probably being used by something that is always running in the background. Booting in Safe Mode will keep them from starting so that they can't grab and hold the files.

Jobrag	File that cannot be deleted If you are running windows, get a LINUX boot disc, start in LINUX remove the file and then restart in windows.

mathman Recognitions: Science Advisor	My operating system is Windows XP. In general if a file is locked because something is using it, "unlocker assistant" will handle it. In this case, when trying to do anything with the file, the computer acts as if it is not there. For example, "properties" gives me a complete blank, including 0 file length, although windows explorer gives it a length.

rcgldr Recognitions: Homework Help	Try logging in as a different user and deleting the file. On my system, I have multiple hard drives, with a second instance of Windows installed on one of of the "other" hard drives. I boot into that for doing backups and if needed restores of the primary OS partitions. The second OS could also be used to delete files that the primary OS won't delete.

JaredJames Blog Entries: 8 Recognitions: Gold Member	I've had this problem before. Windows can't touch it and sometimes throws up errors for it. The only way to remove it was to boot in Linux. Even a fresh install of Windows couldn't touch it.

Pattonias	Have you tried using disk clean up? It should have an option to clean the Temp folder. If it doesn't need it in there, it will delete it. Is there any particular reason you need to delete it? It may be the internet cache for that user, you could clear the cache in the browser and that may delete all the content of the file/folder.