deleting a folder

i have a folder in My Documents which i am unable to delete. it is an empty folder and it hasn't got neither hidden files. i am even unable to rename it and i also tried to delete it from ms-dos but still to no success.

when i right click and i click on either delete or rename, i am getting Access is Denied. Also it's attribute is archive. The name of this folder is 'Backup'

However, i don't think it is 'currently in use' because i have been trying to delete it for several days.

Any ideas how can i get rid of it!

thanks

p.s. OS is Win98SE

 

maxmangion,

Something that has worked for me a few times. Using Ctrl-Alt-Delete, close all programs except Explorer and Systray. Then try to delete the folder.

Mike

 

Perhaps you tried to delete it in a Windows DOS session. If something is actively using the folder, that method won't work.

Reboot and hold the shift key down after the post period. When you get the menu, select Command Prompt and then locate the folder and try deleting it from there. Be certain you are resident in the "My Documents" directory and then type deltree backup. <press enter> If you get any error, post back exactly what it says.

I am somewhat concerned that you may be crippling some program that you have actively running, since the folder seems to be protected while Windows is running. If that's true, you may either get program errors later or else the folder may recreate itself.

Good luck.

 

maxmangion--Ran a quick scan of Google on "Access is Denied "and see that the fixes are often quite specific to the program which created the folder. You are not by any chance running an Iomega zip drive?
Here is a fix specific to its Backup folder
http://www.iomega.com/support/documents/10916.html

 

You should be able to delete it in DOS as above.
One snag is -
you have to know the exact (DOS) name of the folder - what you see in Windows is often misleading.
In DOS type
dir C:\MyDocu~1\ /P
and write down the name of the folder you need to delete, exactly as it appears.
Then use the deltree command.
regards

 

If after trying the above is not successfull create a new folder.
Drag the file into the folder and then delete the entire folder.

Mesich

 

Like that one mesich ! Learn a trick everyday !
regards

 

Yeah, but you can't fool Windows that easily. If the folder or file you place inside that newly created folder is actively being used by Windows, you'll still be unable to delete it.

 

I have had success in deleting the folders that are 0Kb and are not marked as read-only. My previous post is incorrect though.

Create a text file using notepad or such. Save it, then drag the file into the folder. You may have to restart the computer to delete the folder.

I like Zephyr have never had a problem deleting anything from Dos. Not Dos in a Windows enviroment but pure Dos.

I have recommended to others in the past to first try the procedure above especially those that are not familiar or comfortable using dos commands. If it doesn't work you have only wasted a couple of minutes.

If the folder is currently in My Documents and the file name is Backup then boot to a command prompt only.

At the C:\> type rename c:\mydocu~1\backup remove

This will rename the file to remove. Hang on to it for a few day and if you do not experience any problems you will be able to delete it from Windows.

I don't believe you will experience any problems but if you do you can always rename it back to backup.

rename c:\mydocu~1\remove backup

Hope this helps.

Mesich