Can't Delete!

PROBLEM SOLVED. Thanks to everyone who helped out, your help was appreciated.

Thanks to COOLMINE, for providing me with this link: http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/dldelinv.htm

Very easy, powerful software. Might look sketchy, but its worth while.


-------------------------------------

The problem seems simple enough, but I can't solve it.

I have two files I can't manage to delete on my desktop. The icon of both is white, should that indicate anything. (Perhaps that the file is missing?)

They may have originated from Vuze (Azareus), deleted within the program. I don't actually use Vuze, I prefer alternatives.

When I try to delete the files, I get the following message:

<<
Could not find this item
This is no longer located in C:\Users\V\Desktop. Verify the item's location and try again.
[white page icon] [*]
>>

the [*] is a vertical list of the properties of the file:
<<
[filename]
type:file
size: 0 bytes
date modified: 19/08/2009 6:44
>>

I'm running on Vista (32bit). Lenovo Thinkpad T61. I don't know if this info is relevant, but it doesn't hurt to provide it.

I've exhausted the following strategies.
--Disk Cleanup
--Desktop Refresh
--Reboot
--Reboot, Enter Safe Mode, delete using appropriate commands. ("cd..." and "del...") - A strategy offered in this thread.
--Normal reboot, same commands in comman prompt.
**Yes, I am opening it using administrative rights.
--"Unlocker" was also suggested, however, the files would not offer the "Unlock" option; Some others would.



Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!



Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!


Help?

 

1. Restart?

2. Try removing via command prompt - exact file location needed

3. Virus scan it?

Thanks.

 

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

 

Reboot your computer, and press F8 to get the safe mode menu. Select safe mode command prompt. Now, navigate to your desktop:

cd Users
cd <your username>
cd Desktop
del <filename>

 

How can I do this? (delete via command prompt).

I have restarted, it didn't work.

 

How exactly does that delete the two files? there are several on my desktop.

 

I don't think this will solve my problem...?

 

Did you check the link i gave you...?

 

This. Try reading all the responses next time.

 

Yes I did check the link you gave me.

And as for USAPATRIOT. How about you try to read all the responses next time.

I said that won't work for me. That software is used to end any use of the file in question, so you may delete it. They key the term, UNLOCK. That software simply immitates CTRL+ALT+DELETE function in the task manager. Not the "END TASK", but the "END PROCESS". My file is not in use. It doesn't exist.

Thanks for reading, I HOPE.

 

Unfortunately, the forum software stripped most of my instructions. Try this:

cd Users
cd [ your username ]
cd Desktop
del [ the file name ]

 

I don't think you're using the program correctly. After you install it, right click on the torrent file(s) and select the Unlocker icon; then select delete from the drop down list then select ok.

If you didn't do this before then I think usapatriot deserves an apology, especially since you didn't mention that unlocker didn't work before your last post.

 

thread bump?

 

In that respect, I should apologize.

I should of said I did use it.

 

For some reason the cmd prompt keeps telling me (after the first command: cd Users):

The system cannot find the path specified.


I did open it using admin properties and safe mode

 

What kego is saying is to restart in Safe Mode, find Command Prompt on the Start Menu, right click it and select Run As Admin... then do the commands above. But first you will have to go back to C:\> so you don't get the path specified error.

To get there first type cd.. and hit enter. Do it again until you get to the C:\> prompt.

Then begin to type;
cd users
cd yourusername
cd desktop
del filename.torrent

You may need to enter the full name including the .torrent extension name for it to work. After running the del <filename> command the file should disappear from the desktop.

Good Luck!

 

Hey bud,

I tried this. Everything worked except the del command.

The filename was long and contained spaces, so I was forced to use quotes ("..."). I don't think that causes any syntax errors or anything.

Regardless, the outcome was such that the system could still not find the file to delete.

The file seems to NOT EXIST. Yet an icon remains. BAH!

 

thread bump?


Anyone know a solution?

 

V89notebook

we've told you the solution I think - you must not be doing it right. Command prompt delete will delete it don't use quotations, copy / paste the entire filename when deleting. I have had stuck files on my desktop before a few times and this always works. Make sure you enter the file name correctly, if there are spaces in the filename use underscores _

If this truely does not work - reformat.

 

As far as my knowledge extends to OSs, quotes are necessary when referring to a string with spaces included. The windows software is not smart enough to look past the space character and look for the enter character. Please refer to the ASCII table.

I did do it right, please avoid assuming I'm incompetent.

The problem using the cmd prompt in safe mode, and just in normal reboot, is the fact that the system seems to NOT SEE the file. which doesn't make sense. I've wasted over 45 minutes in safe mode, exhausting every possible command to delete the file. As a test, I created .txt file and successfully deleted it. Note: I included spaces and used quotes.

 

Please review the very first post. I tried to update it.

 

What happens when you name a file the same name and try to overwrite then "non existent" one ?

Tried cleaning registry and scandisk ?

 

Actually, that's not was I was talking about. During boot, press F8 and select Safe mode with command prompt. Log on using the default administrator account (not the standard user account that runs as the administrator). Once logged in, use the command line interface and navigate to the [ user ]\desktop directory and delete the files.

After logging in, you should be in the users\administrator folder (I'm writing this on an XP machine, so I am not certain this is where you end up. You can verify using the dir command). You can type

Code:

cd ..
cd << the username you normally use >>
cd << desktop >>
dir

Your problem files should be listed. Just use del [ filename and extension ] to delete the files.

To the OP: if you have problems executing a command, post the issue and I'll walk you through the process.

 

Get a knife.... cut a whole in your monitor over where the icon is. Tada! no more icon on your screen!

Throw the cut out piece of monitor into the trash. Empty the trash. You have succesfully deleted the icon.

 

I've never cut a whole before, but I know what a whole lot is...

 

I just tried this, my system still can't find the file.

"Could not find (filename)"

 

How can I do this?

(clean registry/disk - I'm not too confident trying it on my own).

 

^^ Oh I see what you meant now.

OP I think Garandhero made a very good suggestion in his post#19 where he mentions copy/paste. I know the torrent files can have some really long and weird names etc. so if you go to rename the file and then copy the text then paste at the end of the del filename command by right click the top menu bar of the command prompt screen and select Edit--> Paste. That might help!

If that doesn't work I think I would like to see a screenshot of these files and their full name.

 

Hahahah touche..... HOLE!!!

 

For scandisk double click on my computer, properties of your hdd -> tools tab -> check now (the scan will probably go in a queue and scan your hdd after you reboot)

As for registry cleaning get CCleaner if you dont already have it, theres a feature that scans the registry for problems and check if something is linked to those files.

As for the overwrite tactic, open notepad and go to file -> save as and save it as bla bla bla.torrent (make sure its saved as "all files" and not as a .txt) then replace the one you made with the one on your desktop if its possible.

 

CCleaner will do this for you.

Or get the trial verson of Tuneup Utilities 2009 its a full functional version of some pretty good software!!

INFACT TUNEUPutilties has some neat tools that could help like

-
Tuneup Shortcut Cleaner
Tuneup Repair wizzard

Both of these deal with icons on the desktop and may help remove stuck icons.

Also has a Shredder which "destroys files" by adding thier path... could help
Good luck.

 

Instead of the dir command, try dir /x. The actual name might be in 8.3 format, and the /x will show that.

 

Oh also, I can't create a new file to overwrite it.

Because I have no idea what type of file it is.

Check on the first page, I uploaded an image.

 

Yep... get tuneup utilities 2009, it will tell you what filetype it is too might be your best bet for removal too.

Go to additional tools> Tuneup Shredder > Select files > Click add > navigate too and click on file to be removed > do it!

 

Is it nothing or its named as "space" ?

If its nothing start with the scan disk and move on to registry scanning if thats unsuccessful.

 

its up. please look at it. thanks.

 

Dude

Do what I said .... tuneup utilities go.

 

Can you rename the file?? If so rename it something easy to type like "Deleteme"

If not for every space in the file name plug in a _ (underscore) and try again.

so it would be

del "[Torrentsworld.net]_-_Funny_People_[2009]_ etc. etc."

P.S. Downloading movies is illegal bro.

 

that was very clever, but the overwrite tactic isn't working. the torrent file seems to no longer be a torrent. it just has it in its name.
it's quite confusing. i have a picture up if it helps.

i created a new file, but that's exactly what it did. it didnt replace.

Chkdisk will happen, i'll try CCleaner after. i believe i have it.

 

Have you tried the dir /x command?

 

btw if you open command prompt go to desktop and type dir whats the name and extension of the file ?

 

this didn't work.

 

Now i just feel ignored... I was joking about the knife thing my man don't hold a grudge trying to help!

 

How did it not work? What results did you get?

 

i was streaming ^_^.

i only downloaded that torrent to teach a friend how to do it.
..plus, that movie is still in theatres. I'd rather watch it there in good quality than a half cut screen.

Plus, I'm about to try your utilities thing. I'm just managing the easier things first.

NO SUCCESS .

 

What are the names of the files, and what are the extensions? My work firewall blocks those image sites, so I have no idea if you've shown the file names or not.

 

hehe ok good luck m8 after tuneup utilties and command delete im pretty much out of idea's other than backing everything up and reformatting.


Have you tried running a new backround see if that refreshes the screen or something?

 

I agree with the tuneup utilities appraoch after reading through this.

Couls also re-install Vuze. Open the files and disconnect and delete then remove Vuze.

 

I tried it with regular boot.

Though it couldn't find the file, again.

 

Another option... download the same torrent file again - exactly the same one.... then remove it via vuze idk if thats been suggested yet.