Cannot delete file, apparently it isn't there.

Lyon85 · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:17

I've got a file that has appeared in My Documents, it is named after my account; "Stephen%20Lyon."

It weighs 0kb, has no file extension, and apparently doesn't exist. In XP I get: "Cannot read from the source file or disk" when I try to delete it, if I boot into Win7 I get a similar error, something along the lines of 'Cannot find file, please check the directory'.

I have tried booting into another OS to get rid and used using a CMD line to delete it (with explorer.exe disabled).

It is not read only, and I can't hide it either (I would settle for that).

I hate it.

I really hate it.

It really does drive me nuts!

Any suggestions?

fornowagain · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:25

Try this but be damn careful with it.

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

bledd · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:28

try booting from a live linux cd, like Slax or mintlinux and deleting from there

Guest2 · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:28

Try unlocker, its a free program that can get rid of most locked files.

Macky · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:32

Malwarebytes has a tool called File Assassin. Though that is the problem with it, it only does files, not folders. Also, Unlocker only works on 32bit Windows.

matthewhotdude · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:32

I had this on my WHS machine, a reboot and the file had gone

Lyon85 · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:39

fornowagain said:
Try this but be damn careful with it.

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

Ah, brilliant! Many thanks. Thanks for the other suggestions too.

I had tried a few things, like unlocker. The file wasn't locked in any way, it turns out that the file name was invalid as it ended with a full stop (.) and had no extension.

Ruddy thing has been getting on my wick for weeks.