can not delete icon 3

[Apollo13a]

Hello, I have an icon on my desktop that I can not delete. Somehow I created the icon using notepad when I tried to open an email attachment. I'm running Norton Internet Security and it doesn't come up as a virus or anything. I am logged in as admin. The file has a 0 (zero) size and has attributes of HSA. When I check the properties of the file the Security tab is not shown. I tried the program Move On Boot but it didn't work. Any ideas on what this is and how can I delete it?
Thanks , Jim

 

[micker377]

Have you tried in safe mode?

 

[Apollo13a]

Yes, I have. Also, I can't change the attributes. I tried using the DOS window to remove the hidden attribute but in windows the hidden box is not selected.
Jim

 

[Frank4d]

What are the file name and properties ("Target" and "Start in")?

 

[Apollo13a]

The filename is Fwd_ FW_ How to avoid the flu. When I left click I don't get the window as I get with other icons on the desktop. The window that pops up doesn't have any Target or Start In boxes. It just shows the location. How would I find out the Target and start in info. The icon(file) currently is in C:\Documents and Settings\MyLogonName\Desktop

 

[Frank4d]

Could be a corrupted file or something. Can you go to C:\Documents and Settings\MyLoginName\Desktop and move the file to c:\temp? It might not get rid of the file but at least it won't be on your desktop.

 

[Apollo13a]

Good idea, but when I tried to move it I received an error that says CAN NOT READ FROM FILE OR DISK. Maybe I could get a utility from WinInternals to read the NTFS file system and remove it by booting the box into DOS. I tried using a win98 bootdisk but I couldn't read the file system.

 

[bcastner]

http://www.jrtwine.com/Products/DelFXPFiles/index.htm

 

[Frank4d]

One more idea... open Notepad and save a blank file with exactly the same name and extension to your desktop folder. If Windows lets you save it (big "if"), there is a chance you can delete it from your desktop.

 

[linney]

Norton will not allowing you to delete a specific file if the original path from where that file came from was deleted. Turn off Norton protection on the recycle bin and try that.

XP Rubbish bin ?
thread779-746489

Bogey file of zero bytes
thread779-852492

 

[Apollo13a]

Thanks to all of you. Great info.
Have a star. i used bcastner link and installed the program and it removed the file. First it informed me that this file has the system attribute set and asked if I wanted to remove it. I said yes and it removed the file. I had tried changing the system attribute thru the DOS window but windows complained and it failed.
So, good program and thanks again.
Jim

 

[bcastner]

J.R. Twine is a Forum member of Tek-Tips, and his little utility is good stuff.

Recommended. There is a freeware version that is quite effective for deletion of stubborn files:

http://www.jrtwine.com/Products/DelFXPFiles/

James Twine has been quite good about answering seemingly intractible Folder or file removal questions on the Forum.