Resolved Can't delete files

I recently downloaded some german beer drinking music files which were contained in a folder.
After reviewing them I decided to delete the folder but got an error advising that the files or disk was locked.
I went into the folder and tried to delete each file separately and was successful for all files except 2 - for these 2 files I can select them but hitting the DELETE key does nothing.

I had noticed before this that when I tried to 'play' these audio files Windows Media Player would open and on the right side ('now playing') displayed nothing and after I clicked on the 'play button' it displays what looks like every MP3 file I have stored on my PC - so it would appear that the files are corrupted.

I also noticed that if I right click on each file instead of being presented with a menu of many different options what to do I only get a menu containing -
Play
MediaInfo
Add to Windows Media player list
Add to burn list
Open with
Send to

Nothing I try will get rid of these files.
Is there a way to remove them other than reformatting the drive/partition?

Thanks

 

Try this...it often works and it only costs a little time if it doesn't.

Open Notepad (or any program that does not support music formats), click on File>Open, make sure "All Files" is selected in the drop-down list. Then navigate to the files you want to delete, select one and press the Delete (Del) key on the keyboard.

I've been told it often works because it bypasses XP's attempt to index a folder when you access it, chokes on the corrupt file and won't let you do anything until it has finished the indexing...which it can't. Whether that's accurate, I don't know but I do know the technique has worked for me and others.

 

Thanks Miz for the quick reply.
I tried what you suggested (I had forgotten that you can delete a file by selecting open and then selecting a file and pressing (the) DEL key which I have done in the past).

Unfortunately all that happens is I get a beep (sound).

But hey I managed to delete it. I Googled the same question and one of the 'hits' talked about using the command prompt to find the file and then to 'kill' explorer and so on.
As the folder name was quite long I decided to rename the folder (in Windows) so that I could navigate to it easier within command prompt. After I renamed it I deleted to try and delete the folder (containing the rogue mp3 files) and it deleted! Maybe there was something slightly corrupt in the folder itself.
Anyway that's something for the readers of this post to remember in case they ever run into the same problem.