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Thread ID: 67702 2006-04-03 18:19:00 Erasing files that can't be erased bfr44 (9887) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
443531 2006-04-03 18:19:00 I have a whole directory which got messed up (40 GB). All file names show special characters and can't be deleted at all. How can I get rid of these files? Using XP. bfr44 (9887)
443532 2006-04-03 20:01:00 If it's on its own partition you could format it. Greg (193)
443533 2006-04-03 20:36:00 I like to use Kelly's (www.kellys-korner-xp.com) XP A to Z for this stuff...it has a rather large catalog of all sorts of stuff you'll enjoy...try it! SurferJoe46 (51)
443534 2006-04-03 21:23:00 I have a whole directory which got messed up (40 GB). All file names show special characters and can't be deleted at all. How can I get rid of these files? Using XP.
Check out this thread.
pressf1.pcworld.co.nz
Neil McC (178)
443535 2006-04-03 22:06:00 And if all that fails have a look at this...ex google.

www.theeldergeek.com
Cicero (40)
443536 2006-04-04 04:47:00 Does XP have DELTREE command? deltree /y bad_directory_name shopuld do it. SCANDISK/CHKDSK might zap the "files". Graham L (2)
443537 2006-04-04 04:56:00 Deleting undeletables

-Open a Command Prompt window.

-Close any open windows.

-Close explorer.exe there are two ways
-1--start > Turn off computer, hold down CTRL+SHIFT+ALT and press the CANCEL button.
-2--CTRL+ALT+DEL and End task in the process tab

-Go back to the Command Prompt window and change to the directory where the undeletable file is located in. At the command prompt type del <filename>.

-Go back to Task Manager, click File, New Task and enter EXPLORER.EXE to restart the GUI shell.

edit: The link Cicero gave is the same with pictures, very nice.
Rob99 (151)
443538 2006-04-04 05:10:00 When this sort of thing happens, it's often difficult to type the "filenames". del *.* might be better ... that will find the names and select them for deletion in the same operation. If that doesn't work attrib -r -s -h *.* might help. The attribute bits might be clouted too. deltree from the upper level is also a possibility. Graham L (2)
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