Unable to delete empty folder on desktop

[Eptar]

Hey folks, I come to you all with a problem that has been plaguing me for the past few months. About two months ago I downloaded a folder to my desktop from an ftp that turned out to be empty. I tried to delete it, but just kept getting a message saying "cannot read file: unable to read source from disk". If I try to open it,I get a message saying that it refers to a location that is unavailable. The folder is 0kb, and when I try to delete it using the command prompt it says it can't find it. Same thing when I try to get rid of it using killbox. Anybody have any suggestions? I'm at my wits end, it's driving me nuts. Thanks for any help you guys can offer.
edit: also tried deleting using safe mode, that didn't work either.

[minorgeek]

Try this:To fix the problem, we can run chkdsk as follows:

1. Open 'My Computer', and right click your main system drive (usually C -
Select Properties.

2. Click the 'Tools' tab.

3. Click the 'Check Now' button in the error checking section.

4. Click both the boxes in the options section (fix errors..., and Check for
and fix bad sectors)

5. Click Start.

6. The program will ask you if you want to run the check after the next
reboot, as the volume is currently in use.

7. Reboot the computer, and the disk check will take place. This may take a
bit of time.Then try to delete it again.

[Eptar]

doh, forgot to say I already tried that but to no avail. Also tried the free version of a program called "Delete FXP Files", but I get a message saying "re-cursive folder deletion is not available in the unregistered version.".

[minorgeek]

Can you drag it tot he recycle bin? If it wll drag and drop, you can reboot and lose it.

[Eptar]

No luck

[minorgeek]

More" stuff":

Delete - Can't Delete Files or Folders

Checkpoints/workarounds: Test the Delete after each suggestion.

1. Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: RD /S [drive:] path
2. Open Notepad and save the (blank) file with the name of the undeletable file. Under save as, navigate to the file, delete.
3. Move the file into a new directory and then delete the directory.

4. Close all open apps. Open a command prompt (Start/Run/CMD) and navigate to the directory with the offending file(s). Then open the Task Manager and click on the Processes tab, select "explorer.exe" under Image Name. Click "End Process".In the opened Command Prompt, DEL the offending files (DEL *.mpg, DEL mus*.avi, DEL test.wmv, etc.) Once done, go back to the task manager and click on the Applications tab. Click the "New Task..." button. in the dialog, type explorer.exe and click OK.

Note: Could also opt for: ATTRIB -H -R -S filename before the DEL.

5. Or you can use Process Explorer: http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/fr.../procexp.shtml. Use the search function to find every handle that Explorer.Exe has open and close them (right-click on the file and choose 'close handle'). Then delete the file(s) in question.

NTFS: "Access Denied" Error Message When You Try to Delete a File
http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;EN-US;298345

Delete - AVI, MPG... files (access denied error)

Close all open apps. Open a command prompt and navigate to the directory with the offending files. Then open the Task Manager and click on the Processes tab. select "Explorer.Exe" under Image Name. Click "End Process".

Now you will only have the command prompt and the task manager. In the Command Prompt, DEL the offending files (DEL *.mpg, DEL mus*.avi, DEL test.wmv, etc.)

The files should now delete without a problem. Now go back to the task manager and click on the Applications tab. Click the "New Task..." button. in the dialog, type Explorer.Exe and click OK.

Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. Use the search function to find every handle that Explorer.Exe has open and close them (right-click on the file and choose 'close handle'). Then delete the file(s) in question.

Delete - Permission Denied When Trying to Delete Folders/Files

Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/View/Unmark "Use Simple File Sharing". Right click the folder/file in question/Properties/Security/Advanced/Owner/Set Permissions

[Eptar]

Absolutely brilliant. I never thought to save a notepad document with the exact same name as the offending folder. it autosaved itself inside the folder and I was able to delete the whole thing. Thank you ever so much.

[Eptar]

ugh, it appears I spoke to soon. it let delete the folder, then I emptied my recycling bin it just reappeared. now when i try to make a notepad file with the same name it creates an html file on my desktop. when I click the properties of the folder it says that it's an html file just like the one that just appeared, but when I delete the folder/file, the folder just reappears.

[alandmo]

Have you tried the above tool. Get it from tucows. Worked for me .

[Rainbow32]

I've had good results using Remove on Reboot.
http://www.topshareware.com/Remove-o...load-14212.htm

[minorgeek]

I think he has tried that, or a similar program.

[minorgeek]

Have you tried this? right click on the file, select properties and make sure Read-Only isn't selected on the "General" Tab of the file properties, if it is, uncheck the box and try to delete the file once more. If you get it to the recycle bin again, reboot before you delete it.

[eziskovsky]

Maybe a silly question but I didn't see it mentioned anywhere... Have you tried to delete it in safe mode?

[minorgeek]

Tried it (first post) I am out of ideas, how about you? I have never seen one the combination of all of the above would not delete.

[eziskovsky]

I must be blind, I swear I read that post several times to see if safe mode had been mentioned. Oh well.

One of the above should have worked to delete that folder. The only other thing I can think of is to boot with a 95 or 98 boot floppy, and then try going in with NTFSDOS or something similar, browse to his desktop folder, and try deleting that way. I realize that command prompt didn't work but maybe booting with a 95/98 floppy would help. Or, maybe renaming the offending folder and then trying to delete might do it. Otherwise, I'm out of ideas.