Can't delete folder: "Cannot delete file: cannot read from souce file"

Hi All: Minor problem, I have an empty folder on a drive that is used for video copying and editing.

I created this file when preparing to write a video to DVD and then decided not to burn the disc. Subsequently I deleted the folder's content. I don't remember which of my video editing programs I used to create this file.

I have been trying to delete the folder, but get the following error message:

"Cannot delete file: cannot read from souce file or disk "

Anyway to overcome this??

Martin

 

Hi Martin!

Try MoveOnBoot (direct download). After installing you will have a new right click option.

 

Martin,

MoveOnBoot may not work on a folder. You can delete it from the command window using rmdir [drive:]\path /s.

 

rmdir + drive letter:\ +full path to folder +(space) /s?

 

rmdirspacedrive:\full\path\foldernamespace/s

 

Hi Dave, nice try, but no cigar. "cannot find file specified "

Drive letter is G:, folder name is "Idunno." (with dot) Windows will not permit any changes to folder.

Path is G:\Idunno.

I tried "rmdir G:\Idunno. /s "

and "rmdir G:\G:\Idunno. /s "

Both ways with and without dot.

Windows says it can't find folder. I can find it easy, just open "G "

On first attempt, cmd prompt asked: "are you sure" y/n

Not getting this message on subsequent attempts, just can't find file reports.

Martin

 

Well shucks Martin Suppose you've tried renaming. Anything strange on it's properties? Maybe create a new folder, put that one in it and try deleting all of it. Cut and paste or drag-n-drop into the open recycle bin. Can you place anything inside of it.....text file...pic? Can you even open it?

 

Delete it in safe mode?

Johanna

 

Dave, Windows won't let me do anything to or with this file, says it is located on another drive or network. Does not give any solution.

I downloaded and installed "move on boot" opened the folder's properties, told Move on Boot to delete it. On reboot, it was gone, replaced by Idunno2.

Johanna, I'll try safe mode next.

What a lot of bother for an empty folder!

Martin

 

and that one itty bitty empty folder is bugging you right now, isn't it??



It's okay, Martin. There is hope for people like us. I'm sure we could Google a 12 step program... there's got to be help for those of us who obsess about relatively minor things until we either fix it or break it! I'm not really a geek, I tell people, just a tweaker.

I can't quit my freaking tweaking, either! I'm shopping for parts right now on NewEgg- thank you, Uncle Sam, for holding my money all year for me!

Johanna
(Only other thing I can think of is to restore the contents of the folder- then delete it)

 

Safe Mode results. Tried to delete, no dice. Tried to move to another folder. No dice.

Had an empty temp folder on drive, moved it into Idunno2. Move worked.

Clicked delete: get message, are you sure? Only had one yes, clicked it, folder gone. (don't celebrate yet) Emptied recycle bin, folder gone for good?

Reboot, open G, there it is. Magically reinstalled itself. Boo Hoo, see the tears rolling down my cheeks?

Johanna, even a 12 step program could not help me, I'm that way with everything. Something like this arouses my "it should be fixed because it's not perfect" mentality.

What are you shopping for? Athalon 64? There are so many different 64s, I don't think I'll ever want to pay $700. plus for a CPU. I am toying with the idea of SATA drives though.



I think I'll write a post in general discussions about new machine with SATA.

In the meantime I gotta run into town, beat some checks to the bank.

By the way, what happended to your post to GD about how to fix everything and how not to ever have a crash. I have been waiting patiently, or did I miss it?

Martin

 

Martin ...

Have you searched the Registry and deleted all references to G:\Idunno.?

 

Hi Jim, no I haven't searched the reg for it, that was my next question, if I find it, would it be safe to delete, without messing up something else?

I know no guarantee, but not risky?

Martin

 

Is it possible that, via some program, you have set this folder as a "shared folder" for that program?

I'm thinking that it may work rather "kazaa-ish" like. They have a setting within their options for setting the default "shared folder" for holding , surprisingly enough, P2P Kazaa shared files.

Can't delete it without jumping through hoops. Although I'm not sure, I bet it would be rebuilt if it disappeared.

I know this may not help or even apply to this case. I'm just thinking out loud.

If the registry hunt doesn't help perhaps a "file find" with * as the Folder but search for a text reference using the text field keyword "Idunno ". It may pull up a program Folder or file that will eventually lead to something.

 

My personal opinion is that Microsoft has users so scared of the Registry that most won't go near it even with the proverbial 10 foot pole.

To be on the safe side, back it up before doing anything to it, but you should be able to safely delete any references to G:\Idunno. I delete leftover entries from my Registry after every program uninstallation, and have never had a problem.

If you'd like it, I have a program called Registry Detective, which I downloaded from PC Mag's library before they started charging for downloads. It makes searching the Registry a breeze, as it lists every reference to whatever you enter in the search window and opens Regedit at the key for the selected listing.

Just email me and I'll send it to you ... it's 595 KB.

 

You have Regseeker right? Will find and allow you to delete registry entries as well as files/folders. I was beginning to wonder if this folder is a protected storage folder renamed somehow (system volume information or recycled)

 

Hi Ann: No, the file was never marked for sharing. And, No Kazza on this or any of my machines.

Hi Jim: If my reg search doesn't turn up anything, I'll let you know directly. Going to do it now.

Yes Noah, I have RegSeeker, going to use it's find function.

Martin

 

Tony: follwed your suggestion, same results, "cannot find file specified "

Once explorer stopped, after windows extreeeem dire warnings, didn't see where it could be restarted in task manager, it was gone. Rebooted, all ok, except still have Idunno2. folder on G.

Neither RegSeeker search nor Windows reg search turned up this folder.

This is becoming a real challenge. Anybody got any Ideas?

Martin

 

Folder properties?