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    Undeletable file :(

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by unlimitedx, Feb 10, 2009.

  1. unlimitedx

    unlimitedx Notebook Consultant

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    :mad:

    [​IMG]

    This file has on my desktop for quite some time.. I don't know how to delete it.

    Deleting it in safe mode has also failed.

    Any ideas? That box shows up when I try to delete.
     
    unlimitedx, Feb 10, 2009
    #1
  2. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    Have you tried checking the drive for errors? It might be a sector of the disk gone bad, as the error message suggests.
     
    HerrKaputt, Feb 10, 2009
    #2
  3. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Have you tried renaming or moving the file?

    Also I'd recommend you run chkdsk.

    Windows key+r
    type in cmd
    type chkdsk /f
    and restart your computer

    alternately right-click c drive
    go to properties -> tools -> check now -> and make sure automatically fix file system errors is checked.
     
    namaiki, Feb 10, 2009
    #3
  4. unlimitedx

    unlimitedx Notebook Consultant

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    renaming or moving file also doesnt work
     
    unlimitedx, Feb 10, 2009
    #4
  5. zakaluka

    zakaluka Notebook Consultant

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    Use the free utility Unlocker from http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ . It will delete the file by removing locks on it. If it can't delete the file immediately, the utility will allow you to pick if you want it deleted on the next reboot.

    Regards,

    z.
     
    zakaluka, Feb 10, 2009
    #5
  6. kgginfinity

    kgginfinity Notebook Guru

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    also, malwarebytes antimalware, a good app to have anyway, has an option called "file assassin" great for killing files.
     
    kgginfinity, Feb 10, 2009
    #6
  7. HI DesertNM

    HI DesertNM Notebook Deity

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    Try opening up a command prompt and using the del command. Change the command prompt to the same directory and just type "del filename.ext" and be done with it. I just deleted a test file on vista with the command prompt so I know it works.

    If your not sure how to change directories go here: http://www.computerhope.com/cdhlp.htm
     
    HI DesertNM, Feb 10, 2009
    #7
  8. Wolf04

    Wolf04 Sony Fanatic

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    I used to have this problem in XP too, especially with empty folders. I just restarted and it was deletable.
     
    Wolf04, Feb 10, 2009
    #8
  9. merlin_72032

    merlin_72032 Notebook Evangelist

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    Reboot the computer into safe mode and delete the file in that mode.
     
    merlin_72032, Feb 10, 2009
    #9
  10. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    Try hitting refresh on the desktop.
     
    nizzy1115, Feb 10, 2009
    #10
  11. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Have you checked the permissions on the file to see if your user account has the appropriate permissions? If not, try to reset them and take ownership of the file (you may have to log in as admininstrator).
     
    Shyster1, Feb 10, 2009
    #11