Folder Deletion

classicman · 02-01-2010, 03:18 PM

Got a folder on the computer at work that won't let anyone delete it.

I've tried renaming, "Shift+Delete".

I am by no means a computer savvy person, any ideas?

Oh and its called "83814e935ee4291ba1c88f8e"
which is a total WTF in and of itself.

Pete Zicato · 02-01-2010, 03:48 PM

Do you get an error message?

classicman · 02-01-2010, 05:09 PM

just that the folder in inaccessible.

Clodfobble · 02-01-2010, 05:58 PM

Once, in a galaxy long ago and far away, I recall having a similar problem at work. The folder on the server was "inaccessible" for deletion because someone was using it (i.e., had it open on their screen)... except no one did. The solution was we had to reboot every system and server until we found the one that was telling the network it had the folder open (except it didn't, the person who used that machine swore she hadn't done anything with that folder in days.)

squirell nutkin · 02-01-2010, 06:22 PM

Download "move on boot" I think it's by a company called Gipo. You right click on the folder, selcet move or delete on boot and re-boot. It deletes the file before the rest of the system has gotten out of its PJs.
http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/

classicman · 02-01-2010, 06:36 PM

cool thanks - I'll let the big man know - That isn't something I can do on my own.

tw · 02-01-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

cool thanks - I'll let the big man know - That isn't something I can do on my own.

Many reasons why a folder will not delete. All files and subdirectories (folders) have attributes. Read-only, System, and Hidden. If anything (folder or file) inside that folder has any of those attributes, then that existing content means the folder will not delete. If anything inside is system or hidden, then you will not see it without specifically asking to see such folders.

From example, from the DOS (command) prompt, go to that folder.
Ie CD FolderPathName
Then view contents for hidden or system attributes using multiple commends:
DIR /AS /S *.*
DIR /AH /S *.*
ATTRIB *.*

Or tell FileManager to also view system and hidden files. See TOOLS>FILE OPTIONS.

Second, if some other task has not released that folder or subdirectories inside that folder, then the folder cannot be deleted. That offending program (or process) first must be terminated.

Further options or information may be obtained from Windows HELP using keywords such as Hidden, System, Read-only, Attrib, and Dir.

classicman · 02-01-2010, 07:45 PM

Its a folder with a very strange name that seems normal in all other aspects. I know that something must be different since it won't allow deletion.
It is not a systems folder, nor hidden, nor read only.
When I "right" click" and get the properties, it's size is 0KB.
There is a network with a server and 5 other computers.
I cannot, I don't think access much of what is needed to address the problem or get the information needed.
I was hoping that one of you knew of a simple way to delete a folder like a combination of keys or a function key ... something like that.
The name of the file is so strange as well - that it makes me think it is a virus, a worm or something.

squirell nutkin · 02-01-2010, 08:28 PM

I have similarly named folders that don't like to delete on my harddrive and they usually have to do with my back-up drive and software. What tw says is probably the case. Is there some reason you harbor negative feelings toward this folder?

I'll hunt arond and see if I can find my crazy named folder and I'll see if it knows your folder.

classicman · 02-01-2010, 08:33 PM

This folder "appeared" one day in a place where nothing but images are stored. There is no reason to have a folder with this name or anything even remotely close to it. No one knows what this folder is or how it came to exist.
The name itself is bizarre also - "83814e935ee4291ba1c88f8e". Typical names in this place are simply compnany names Joe's Plumbing or Advanced woodworking. Nothing like this appears anywhere else.

busterb · 02-01-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

This folder "appeared" one day in a place where nothing but images are stored.

I also have 2 nutty folders in my image partition. Both with 2 folders named AMD64 and i386. I made a new folder, unk crap and moved them there to see if anything went nuts.
Forgot about them till this thread. Clueless me.

classicman · 02-01-2010, 09:51 PM

Well buster at least yours are more common.
I knew AMD was a chip manufacturer . . . Here is some info on your folders.

Pete Zicato · 02-01-2010, 10:01 PM

Classic - are there files in the folder?

classicman · 02-01-2010, 10:07 PM

nope - its empty or at least reports as having no size and showing nothing in it.
That's another thing thats so odd. If its really empty why can't it be deleted?

Pete Zicato · 02-01-2010, 10:15 PM

A while ago I used process explorer (free download from microsoft) to find out what process had a file open. I don't know how it would work with a directory.

If this is a work machine, you might ask someone in IT. Do they push updates onto your machine? If so this might be a remnant.

02-01-2010, 03:18 PM	#1
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Folder Deletion Got a folder on the computer at work that won't let anyone delete it. I've tried renaming, "Shift+Delete". I am by no means a computer savvy person, any ideas? Oh and its called "83814e935ee4291ba1c88f8e" which is a total WTF in and of itself. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-01-2010, 03:48 PM	#2
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	Do you get an error message? __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

02-01-2010, 05:09 PM	#3
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	just that the folder in inaccessible. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-01-2010, 05:58 PM	#4
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Once, in a galaxy long ago and far away, I recall having a similar problem at work. The folder on the server was "inaccessible" for deletion because someone was using it (i.e., had it open on their screen)... except no one did. The solution was we had to reboot every system and server until we found the one that was telling the network it had the folder open (except it didn't, the person who used that machine swore she hadn't done anything with that folder in days.) __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

02-01-2010, 06:22 PM	#5
squirell nutkin has a second hand user title Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: in a Nut House Posts: 2,017	Download "move on boot" I think it's by a company called Gipo. You right click on the folder, selcet move or delete on boot and re-boot. It deletes the file before the rest of the system has gotten out of its PJs. http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/ __________________ And now I'm finished posting.

02-01-2010, 06:36 PM	#6
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	cool thanks - I'll let the big man know - That isn't something I can do on my own. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-01-2010, 07:45 PM	#8
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Its a folder with a very strange name that seems normal in all other aspects. I know that something must be different since it won't allow deletion. It is not a systems folder, nor hidden, nor read only. When I "right" click" and get the properties, it's size is 0KB. There is a network with a server and 5 other computers. I cannot, I don't think access much of what is needed to address the problem or get the information needed. I was hoping that one of you knew of a simple way to delete a folder like a combination of keys or a function key ... something like that. The name of the file is so strange as well - that it makes me think it is a virus, a worm or something. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-01-2010, 08:28 PM	#9
squirell nutkin has a second hand user title Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: in a Nut House Posts: 2,017	I have similarly named folders that don't like to delete on my harddrive and they usually have to do with my back-up drive and software. What tw says is probably the case. Is there some reason you harbor negative feelings toward this folder? I'll hunt arond and see if I can find my crazy named folder and I'll see if it knows your folder. __________________ And now I'm finished posting.

02-01-2010, 08:33 PM	#10
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	This folder "appeared" one day in a place where nothing but images are stored. There is no reason to have a folder with this name or anything even remotely close to it. No one knows what this folder is or how it came to exist. The name itself is bizarre also - "83814e935ee4291ba1c88f8e". Typical names in this place are simply compnany names Joe's Plumbing or Advanced woodworking. Nothing like this appears anywhere else. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-01-2010, 09:51 PM	#12
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Well buster at least yours are more common. I knew AMD was a chip manufacturer . . . Here is some info on your folders. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-01-2010, 10:01 PM	#13
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	Classic - are there files in the folder? __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

02-01-2010, 10:07 PM	#14
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	nope - its empty or at least reports as having no size and showing nothing in it. That's another thing thats so odd. If its really empty why can't it be deleted? __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-01-2010, 10:15 PM	#15
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	A while ago I used process explorer (free download from microsoft) to find out what process had a file open. I don't know how it would work with a directory. If this is a work machine, you might ask someone in IT. Do they push updates onto your machine? If so this might be a remnant. __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

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