I have a subdirectory that contains some hidden unaccessible files from any windows file broweser and even from another hard drive I can not delete this subdirectory. It says "access denied". I installed Windows XP Pro in another hard drive and put the old hard drive as slave to see if I could remove the subdirectory. Still no luck! The original name of the sudirectory is "recycle" I was able to rename it, but I do not see any files in it. However, I still can not delete it! Why? and Why I can not see the files? Can you give me any ideas on how to remove it? Thanks for your help! Even when I changed the "read only" property, still it would not change it for those files and folder which are hidden!
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Unable to see contents of a subdirectory in Windows XP Pro 1
- Thread starter ALFALOGOS
- Start date
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1
- #2
Have you tried Safe Mode?
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)
Attrib. See if this can help, read Help and Support Center for Syntax.
Changes file attributes for a single file or directory. This command sets or removes the read-only, system, hidden, and compressed attributes assigned to files or directories.
The attrib command with the parameters listed below is only available when you are using the Recovery Console. The attrib command with different parameters is available from the command prompt.
Can't delete files w/ invalid names
thread779-1080580
You may have a corrupted Desktop.ini file that could cause this type of behavior. This explains what I mean.
Read the article, it gets interesting around the paragraph
"HOW MICROSOFT DOES IT"
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)
Attrib. See if this can help, read Help and Support Center for Syntax.
Changes file attributes for a single file or directory. This command sets or removes the read-only, system, hidden, and compressed attributes assigned to files or directories.
The attrib command with the parameters listed below is only available when you are using the Recovery Console. The attrib command with different parameters is available from the command prompt.
Can't delete files w/ invalid names
thread779-1080580
You may have a corrupted Desktop.ini file that could cause this type of behavior. This explains what I mean.
Read the article, it gets interesting around the paragraph
"HOW MICROSOFT DOES IT"
Nelviticus
Programmer
Try navigating to it from a command prompt and CD'ing to the full path. Then rename the 'desktop.ini' file if there is one. Windows uses these files to make directories un-viewable.
If that doesn't work, obtain one of those bootable Linux CDs such as Knoppix. If you boot from that you should be able to see the directory.
Regards
Nelviticus
If that doesn't work, obtain one of those bootable Linux CDs such as Knoppix. If you boot from that you should be able to see the directory.
Regards
Nelviticus
- Thread starter
- #5
Thank You Linney, I went to try the different suggestions at the web site and found the software BCWipe. I tried it and this software really destroyed the subdirectory even if it was flagged read only. It wiped it out and cleanned it at the same time. Thanks it was very helpful! Congratulations!
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