Help on : Error deleting file or folder

[Lass]

there are files that appear on folders which I can't seem to thrash. i get a pop up box saying 'cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk'

 

can anyone advise how i can rid of these files?

[chuan.z]

USB drive? or files on your hard drive?

[WildCard]

sudo rm -f ?

 

Oh nvm.

Its a Windows.

 

 

Try doing this:

 

1. Go to command prompt (Start -> Run -> cmd -> press Enter)

2. In the command prompt, run a "chkdsk /f" or a "chkdsk /fix" (can't remember which one)

3. Once its done, try deleting the file again

[Lass]

files on desktop

 

i get this message that says access denied....blardy stupid IT policy here. I can't even make changes to my default programs or del stuff off my personal drive.

[redbeacon]

sudo rm -f ?

 

Oh nvm.

Its a Windows.

 

 

Try doing this:

 

1. Go to command prompt (Start -> Run -> cmd -> press Enter)

2. In the command prompt, run a "chkdsk /f" or a "chkdsk /fix" (can't remember which one)

3. Once its done, try deleting the file again

There you go again J, advocating Linux, Unix, whatever *nix to the uninitiated masses...

 

========

 

Lass, if you decide to play detective, here are some tips on the file system error messages that you may see:

 

Cannot read from source file or disk:

- File may have been deleted but it's still displayed there.

- Try refreshing (or go back out and back in into the folder). If the file is still there, something's wrong with that file and that it was improperly removed. Chkdsk as per Wildcard's suggestion

 

Access denied is self explanatory.

- Either you're running Windows Vista or Windows 7: You can't simply delete files off of "Program Files" anymore unlike the XP days, unless you have the administrator's password, or if you own the computer.

- Somebody passed you a file but played around with its Security settings, tightening it so that he himself can only open the file

 

Of course, the latter you need to confront the fella ala O$P$. Or if you prefer being subtle, in a kind manner ask him to at least grant "Everyone" access to the file.

 

Hope these helps

[Lass]

none of the above seem to work. can't even do the chkdsk think as advised by wildcard cos it says access denied.

 

this office vista? haha we are still on XP and most pcs still on 512mb ram...prehistoric machines we have here. i even spent my own $$ to upgrade the RAM cos the waiting and hanging was driving me mental.

 

sometimes am so pissed w e pc here that i feel like breaking the machines...

[wait4me]

looks like u need to ask yr I.T folks to delete for u

[WildCard]

There you go again J, advocating Linux, Unix, whatever *nix to the uninitiated masses...

 

 

What can I do?

Having so much fun with sudo command.

Just like below:

 

 

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/sandwich.png

 

 

 

none of the above seem to work. can't even do the chkdsk think as advised by wildcard cos it says access denied.

 

this office vista? haha we are still on XP and most pcs still on 512mb ram...prehistoric machines we have here. i even spent my own $$ to upgrade the RAM cos the waiting and hanging was driving me mental.

 

sometimes am so pissed w e pc here that i feel like breaking the machines...

 

Get your office IT Admin to check on your PC.

Dun let him give you the standard "Its normal..." kind of answer.

[wait4me]

512 ram on xp os

opening 20 mails

20 unsent mails

40 read mails

30 excel sheet

50 words documents

 

booms

[kmax]

run "cmd"

 

cd desktop

 

del

 

C:\Users\KmaX\Desktop>del/?

Deletes one or more files.

 

DEL [/P] [/F] [/s] [/Q] [/A[[:]attributes]] names

ERASE [/P] [/F] [/s] [/Q] [/A[[:]attributes]] names

 

names Specifies a list of one or more files or directories.

Wildcards may be used to delete multiple files. If a

directory is specified, all files within the directory

will be deleted.

 

/P Prompts for confirmation before deleting each file.

/F Force deleting of read-only files.

/S Delete specified files from all subdirectories.

/Q Quiet mode, do not ask if ok to delete on global wildcard

/A Selects files to delete based on attributes

attributes R Read-only files S System files

H Hidden files A Files ready for archiving

I Not content indexed Files L Reparse Points

- Prefix meaning not

 

If Command Extensions are enabled DEL and ERASE change as follows:

 

The display semantics of the /S switch are reversed in that it shows

you only the files that are deleted, not the ones it could not find.

[redbeacon]

512 ram on xp os

opening 20 mails

20 unsent mails

40 read mails

30 excel sheet

50 words documents

 

booms

 

Whose PC you referring to that is about to explode?

 

run "cmd"

 

cd desktop

 

del

 

C:\Users\KmaX\Desktop>del/?

Deletes one or more files.

 

DEL [/P] [/F] [/s] [/Q] [/A[[:]attributes]] names

ERASE [/P] [/F] [/s] [/Q] [/A[[:]attributes]] names

...

 

If file is really locked, will still show "access denied" in the command prompt screen.

 

Doesn't hurt to let Lass try this though...

[Lass]

512 ram on xp os

opening 20 mails

20 unsent mails

40 read mails

30 excel sheet

50 words documents

 

booms

 

haha mine doesn't allow me to reach that volume...yes lots of unsent emails stuck in outbox. 3 excel sheets and 2 word docs...enuf to make my pc kaput...slightly better after i 'down' 2 gb Ram on my own.

 

our IT is outsourced and the std ans is, can't be helped, your UK office, dun give budget to upgrade or have implemented the policy! oh well...suck thumb loh...haiz....i think it's just me tat's too impatient. for the rest ard me, i only see their faces turn blue and brows knitted in frustrations haha

[Lass]

run "cmd"

 

cd desktop

 

del

 

the file is visible when i did the 'dir' but when i try to 'del' the file, it says 'could not find' the file

 

so wierd...

[kmax]

try del *filename*

 

with * wildcard infront and behind..

[redbeacon]

the file is visible when i did the 'dir' but when i try to 'del' the file, it says 'could not find' the file

 

so wierd...

You've got a file that the operating system did not delete off from your hard drive properly

 

Technically speaking:

A hard drive catalogs (analogous to a paper record) and keeps track of every single file and on which position on the metal disk platter(s) each file is magnetically stored on.

In your case it's most probably that the file you want has been completely been cleared from the platter when you performed the deletion, but it still exist in the catalog due to some quirky error.

 

ComputerHope says this:

 

Reference number: CH001117

Windows cannot read from source file or disk error.

 

This error is often caused when the file attempting to be deleted is in use by another program, or has been created using a character that Windows does not recognize.

 

Solution:

 

This error message is generated when the folder, and/or files within the folder, are locked because they are being used by Windows or another program running in Windows. To successfully delete this file, try the following steps.

 

Wait a minute and try deleting the file again, sometimes Windows or the program using the file may still be closing and therefore still using the file you're attempting to delete.

 

Close Explorer window and re-open.

 

Locate the program using the file and close it. If you're uncertain which program is using the file, close all programs until you're able to delete the file.

 

Try using Unlocker, a free software program designed to unlock any file being used by Windows or other programs without restarting the computer.

 

Reboot the computer. If after closing all programs you're still unable to delete the file, it's likely that something in the background is still using the file

If after rebooting the computer you're still unable to delete the file, boot the computer into Safe Mode and delete the file.

 

* Google chrome warned me that this website contained a picture advert that seems to belong to a malware website. Please proceed to this ComputerHope website with discretion.

[Lass]

ok d/l the unlocker and had to install on D drive but it doesn't work. i can't install anything on C drive cos the office IT ppl locked it.

[wait4me]

comfirm need I.T pp help le...

log in their admin .. then delete away ...

 

then u physco them to give u admin rights..

[Lass]

comfirm need I.T pp help le...

log in their admin .. then delete away ...

 

then u physco them to give u admin rights..

 

haha thks, it's as good as talking to the wall...i wouldn't bother cos they will not allow it at all.