Can't delete files w/ invalid names 3

[suncity]

I have some jpg files with invalid names in a folder.
WinXP/Pro edit/ delete won't delete them. DOS mode Run / del *.jpg says "invalid filename" (DUH! )
Can't even access them to change their name to something valid.

Any way of directly accessing these files and deleting them with some utility or special process?

Thanks!

 

[micker377]

Have you tried to delete them in "safe" mode? If all else fails, Google for a program to kill files. There are lots of them (free). They mark the files for deletion, you reboot, and the files are gone (unless they are actually placed there by a virus). This is another story!

 

[linney]

Try running ChkDsk by right-clicking the drive icon and selecting Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking, select both available boxes, the machine may want to restart before it actually runs ChkDsk.

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1060347509

131702 - Cannot Delete Files or Folders with Extended Characters

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;131702

120716 - How to Remove Files with Reserved Names in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;120716&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Cannot delete garbage file created when upgrading to XP from 98
thread779-714737

Bogey file of zero bytes
thread779-852492

 

[MontyPalmer]

Use Knoppix to boot, mount the drive, and delete what you want.

Monty Palmer
President
Paltechs

http://www.paltechs.com

 

[bcastner]

http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm

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

 

[suncity]

Tried all suggestions except the LINUX solution from Monty.
I'm running WinXP/Pro, and not familiar with LINUX at all.

External command rmdir also fails on "invalid file, folder, volume"

Since DelFXPFiles and Delinv both failed, I'm back to google to find additional progrms that might be strong enough medicine for this problem.

Do Disk Doctor or PC Tools have any functions that delete misfit files? Or other utilities?

 

[thefourthwall]

May I suggest that you delete them from a cmd prompt?

In W2K/XP I have often found this simple solution to be the best, when unable to delete files through Explorer.

If the path to the folder holding the offending files is long, I will copy the path from the address bar, then in a cmd prompt, type cd (insert clipboard here), enter, and at the folder in question, type del *.jpg or whatever the file type is...

Most of the time (99%)this works perfectly.

-thefourthwall

 

[MontyPalmer]

If you have not yet used a knoppix-like tool before, then by all means exhaust all other options first. If all else fails, download the knoppix CD, put it in the machine, and restart it. If you are set to boot from the CD, it will start up looking like a strange cousin to windows. This is a portable OS, so just booting is not going to make any permanent change to the machine. Once the OS loads, right click on the drive where the bad files live, choose properties (I think) and make sure that you have read write perms. Then mount it, double-click your way to the directory, and delete delete delete!
Once you get comfortable with this, it is an awsome tool. Do what the others say first, and save this for a last resort. Give yourself time, and you should be fine, especially if you are hanging out in this forum. The people here seem to be top notch and I am learning heaps.

Monty Palmer
President
Paltechs

http://www.paltechs.com

 

[suncity]

Monty, when I go to Knoppix site (Purdue, for example), I get a list of files. With no button for "download", or other indication what to do next. I clicked Purdue's "ftp."

Hate to sound dumb, but what do I do with such a list? Where is the download command?

I clicked "up one level" and I think I downloaded a directory someplace. But of course that's no good.

I use ftp. But a fish out of water with Linux.

 

[linney]

Are you able to move any valid files out of this folder leaving the invalid ones behind. After that can you try deleting the actual folder itself normally of by any of the prior suggestions?

 

[MontyPalmer]

If you can, do what linney suggested above about moving the good files and deleting the folder. Otherwise...

Once you click on the ftp link, you should get to the agreement screen where you can click next. On the following page, there will be a directory of downloads such as this one:

KNOPPIX_V3.7-2004-12-08-EN.iso

click on that and download the iso and then burn that to a cd. But try linney's stuff first. That is a smarter solution if possible.

Monty Palmer
President
Paltechs

http://www.paltechs.com

 

[suncity]

I moved all movable files to other folder leaving the misfits in the folder alone. Could not delete the folder by any means above: rmdir, downloaded software, safemode... always the same result. At the file level, and the folder level.

Now I know to look for the iso CD image file. So I'll give this a shot. Fact is, this CD may come in handy in the future, so may be a worthwhile investment. These buggers may show up again.

Would just live with those files, except they smell like rats and they range in size from 24KB to 40KB. Who knows what mischief they hold!

 

[MontyPalmer]

If you do the knoppix thing, you will have all the functionality that you would, aside from maybe a DVD burner, I don't know if that has been added, that you normally would. You will have internet access most importantly if you need to get to some online guidance. Check out knoppix.net if you want to do some research ahead of time so you know what to expect. Basically, I had not used unix for years, and had never used linux, but was exploring my puter in minutes. Take your time, be smart, and you will be fine.

Let me know how it goes, and you should be able to use mozilla to access this forum after it boots.

Monty Palmer
President
Paltechs

http://www.paltechs.com

 

[thefourthwall]

from a cmd prompt, how about "rd /s /q <folder name>

 

[bcastner]

Extreme Windows:

Type cmd in Start Run
Type in the command prompt "del" followed by a space, don't press enter yet.
Drag the file from Explorer to the command prompt window.
Click Start then Shutdown, hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift and click Cancel or Close (depends if a domain or not which it will say).
Press Enter in the command prompt.
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then File - New Task (Run)..., and enter explorer and press Enter

 

[suncity]

rd gave same as rmdir: "invalid filename, folder, etc"
Nice try.

I'm going to try the Knoppix thing when I can get a block of time that big. The Knoppix iso file took all night to download. I have Nero and a CD burner. Now all I need is gumption to go for it.

 

[MontyPalmer]

Remember that the point of Knoppix or other portable OSs is that you can pop them in, do what you want and pop them out without damaging the system, as long as what you explicitly did was not damaging. If you boot up, mount the hard drive, nav to the folder, right click and delete it, you should be fine. Shut down, pop out the cd, restart and the folder will be gone.


Monty Palmer
President
Paltechs

http://www.paltechs.com

 

[bcastner]

I honestly think that if RD and RMDIR are passing errors, that a more thorough look at malware issues is in order for this workstation: my thoughts can be found in faq608-4650

 

[bcastner]

I should note that my faq608-4650 does not handle "rootkit" level infections, and this may be true in this instance.

http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/03/updated-rootkitrevealer.html

 

[suncity]

BCastner: I'm OK through step 3, the drag filename.
When I Start / TurnOffComputer, the computer does just that... turns off (step 4). Only other option offered is to LogOff.
I never get chance to Ctl-Alt-Del or anything else because computer is off.
I'm missing a step somewhere.

-------------
1 - Type cmd in Start Run
2 - Type in the command prompt "del" followed by a space, don't press enter yet.
3 - Drag the file from Explorer to the command prompt window.
4 - Click Start then Shutdown, hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift and click Cancel or Close (depends if a domain or not which it will say).
5 - Press Enter in the command prompt.
6 - Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then File - New Task (Run)..., and enter explorer and press Enter

I suspect these files ARE related to malware, that's why my determination to ditch them. Will investigate the "rootkit" theory after I follow through with these steps.