Cannot delete ( _.ptf ) file in Temp folder

[wardialer]

I am having trouble deleting a file called _.ptf in my Temp folder. I have also tried deleting it from the Find files or Folders. After trying to delete message pops-up stating "Cannot Delete File-File System Error (1026)" I am running on Windows98.

Please Help.

 

[BeenThereDoneThat]

This usually indicates a file that is to big for your recycle bin to hold. The following URL will help you get it off your system.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q180680

 

[wardialer]

I set my Recycle Bin to were I it is not usable so the files that were deleted it did not go into the Recycle Bin.
The link that you gave me was not able to load it said something like 404 server not found. Is there any other options.

 

[BeenThereDoneThat]

To wardialer

If you simply click on links on these pages not all of the address is picked up and you get a 404 error. If you cut and paste the entire link (or type it in yourself)it will take you there.

One thing you might try if you're comfortable with dos is to boot into dos and delete it there. You will need the exact dos path to the file, which is different from the windows path.

 

[topscribe]

Error 1026 indicates lack of disk space. The problem is likely that you do not have enough disk space for the file to be copied to your recycle bin when you delete it. It does not actually take the file off the disk in this case, but transfers it to the recycle bin, which is actually just another directory.

The workaround is to click on &quot;Delete&quot; while holding down the <SHIFT> key. This will cause an actual deletion, bypassing the recycle bin. This should do the trick.

Let me know what happened.
Butch

&quot;It's what you learn after you know it all that counts&quot;

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[wardialer]

Thanks Butch!

I had the Recycle Bin set to &quot; Do not move files to Recycle Bin &quot; And also I tried that Delete-Shift method were I right-clicked on the ptf icon and clicked on delete+shft at the same time. Nothing happned.

 

[topscribe]

Well, then you might try BTDT's suggestion to go into DOS and delete it. Are you familiar with DOS?
Butch

&quot;It's what you learn after you know it all that counts&quot;

http://ld.net/?topscribe

 

[disconockerated]

I think that the DOS solution is best..some info on the 'deltree' command if you are not familiar with it

http://www.computerhope.com/deltree.htm#01

to get in to 'true' DOS mode hold down F8 whilst your PC is booting up and select 'command prompt' from the menu.

(apologies if your grandmother is an expert in egg sucking)

;-) Regards
Disconockerated

 

[wardialer]

Thanks, but what are the steps in the DOS mode. Im not exactly familiar with it. Thanks.

 

[topscribe]

First, go into Windows Explorer and find the file. Right-click the file, then select &quot;Properties&quot; from the drop-down menu. Be sure that, in the &quot;Attributes&quot; section there, the &quot;Read only&quot; and &quot;Hidden&quot; boxes are UNchecked.

Then go to your shut down menu and select &quot;Restart in MS-DOS mode.&quot; After rebooting, you will be in a black screen, and in the upper left hand, you will see what directory you're sitting in. if it doesn't say simply &quot;C:\>&quot;, then enter the command

cd
back slash and all. (Hit <ENTER> after every command, of course.) Then enter

dir _.ptf /s

That will show you, in &quot;DOS language,&quot; where the file is. It should report something like &quot;C:\WINDOWS\TEMP_F~1\_.ptf&quot;. You would go into that directory by entering

cd c:\windows\temp_f~1

(or whatever you saw in the precise path to the file). It will tell you in the upper left hand corner whether you successfully got into that directory. Once there, you can enter

del _.ptf

Then you can reboot by doing the <CTRL><ALT><DEL> thing, by hitting the reset if you have one, or by shutting down and restarting your machine. (Incidentally, it is always good to wait for about 15 seconds before starting a machine back up to allow the capacitors to clear. Just a side note.)

After it reboots into Windows, do the Scandisk and Defrag, and you should be set.

Keep us posted on what happens.
Butch

&quot;It's what you learn after you know it all that counts&quot;

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