Deleting Corrupt and Unreadable Files

Hi,

Re: Trying changing/resetting attributes and permissions

I would try that and check or reset permissions and recheck Properties of the file again afterwards.
Unset Read Only if exists.

As to the chkdsk problem ,here are a few links how to deal with that:
How to turn off chkdsk
http://forums.techarena.in/windows-xp-support/680641.htm

Chkdsk.exe or Autochk.exe starts when you try to shut down or restart your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/831426

Disable or Stop Auto CHKDSK During Windows Startup
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/02/23/disable-or-stop-auto-chkdsk-during-windows-startup/

To be sure I understand, chkdsk doesn't run when booting from the CD ,right?

Pete E.

 

OK, I've had enough. Pete's advice has been sound and even if you were infected or had a failing hard drive the previous instructions should have been enough.

gw1500se, please read this thread (carefully) one more time.

 

If I've missed something then I guess I've missed it again in rereading the thread. I agree they should have been enough but that does not change the fact that they seemingly were not.

As for changing the permissions I found something interesting. While there is no message indicating a permissions problem when trying to delete (just the corrupt and unreadable message), the folders involved are set to read only. When I change the permissions to remove read only and apply to all, it appears to have worked. However, if I close and reopen properties, it once again shows read only.

 

Again, I will step back. Your answer is here in this thread.

If you can't find it then run a disk diagnostic (seriously I think PICNIC is the problem though)

 

I'm afraid I have to tell you that all the instructions and advice should be enough, but it maybe the execution or misunderstanding that make it seem not to be enough.
If the folders reopen as read only after you changed the attributes ,it tells me that your permissions are at a subordinate level.
IOW, the system's default is to set the Read Only attribute flag.
Also you may confuse permissions with attributes.
You don't change permissions when you change attributes of a file or folder.
Permissions are set under the Security tab on the Properties panel.

When in the MiniXP of Hirens BCD ,you navigate to the respective -to be deleted -file and r-c it and Properties ,Security tab and give all the accounts Full Control by ticking the boxes as required.
If those settings don't stick ,you have to go further and click Advanced, Effective Permissions and make sure all boxes are ticked for all accounts (via the Select button).
You can also change (take) ownership in the Advanced panel.

You can do the above on and inside your installed OS and KillBox would've made short work of it - even if a reboot were needed.
Most of it can be done in Safe Mode and logged on as Administrator,(or even RunAs Admin),but to exclude interference from an active system ,I advised to do it via a bootable rescue- or repair- CD.

Don't know what else to tell you.

Pete E.

 

A format & fresh install would be the preferred & optimal thing to do.

When you imaged the damaged disk some of the files were already corrupt & some hard disk sectors were already damaged & could not be read. The image would have the corrupt files & the damaged sectors would have been most probably marked as damaged on new hard disk also [run chkdsk & look out for xx KB in bad sectors. line in the output]. Nothing you do now is going to bring back the corrupted files.

 

I don't want to bring back the corrupted files. I just want to delete them.

 

Download any live Linux cd like Ubuntu Live CD, burn it to a cd, boot from it & then delete the corrupt files/folders.

 

Hi,
I'll give it one more shot with a couple of useful tools or methods:
http://www.freefileunlocker.com/

Running a CMD prompt as System (XP and Vista)
http://verbalprocessor.com/2007/12/05/running-a-cmd-prompt-as-local-system/
http://blogs.technet.com/b/ben_park...-as-the-localsystem-account-on-windows-7.aspx

Pete E.

 

Thanks for the suggestions but I have already tried both and neither worked. Unlocker gave me the same message and Linux said the file already exists (what that has to do with deleting a file is beyond me but clearly means the file system is corrupt not necessarily the file).

 

Try running chkdsk /r. It may just repair the file system enough for you to delete the files.

 

Ran chkdsk many, many times, including in safe mode and from a CD bootable Windows. Indeed chkdsk is run every few times I have to reboot. All to no avail.

 

Just a correction (update) and comment.

In post #3 I mentioned KillBox. Those links are no longer valid.
The latest versions are available at
http://www.scanwith.com/download/Pocket_KillBox.htm
When you click "Download" ,you'll get this page:
http://www.scanwith.com/Pocket_KillBox_download.htm
It will list 2 versions.
KillBox is very useful since you can run it as System ,which is more powerful than RunAs Admin.
You can also set the deletion to occur at bootup.

Another useful utility is RunAsSystem
http://www.qwertylab.com/FreeTools.aspx
You can easily see the result in TaskManager.
eg Run calc normally and you'll see calc running under your profile.
Run calc via RunAsSystem and in TM you'll see it under System.

In principle you could run delete commands too, but KillBox is easier for that.

Hope it'll help you or someone else reading this thread.

Pete E.

 

What distro of Linux did you use ? Was it a recovery distro or a full one?

 

I'll give those a try. Thanks.

 

I don't recall but I think since it all fit on a CD it might have been TCL or Puppy.

 

Some distros may not mount NTFS partitions in read/write mode by default. Try Ubuntu Live cd.

 

Thanks. I may try that as well but it will be a while before I can get to it.