Very big unknown file 2gb

While clearing up some files in a dir I made. I found a 3gb file I can not recognize. I do not know where it came from. It looks like chicken scratching. It can not be deleted. All I get error 1026. Please help. Thanks lesteet.


The file is on my c: I can’t recognize the name it looks like just a bunch of symbols

Thanks again I hope you guys can help.

 

What's the name of the file?

 

Hi lesteet and welcome to the boards, can we get a little more info from you:

What is your operating system (Win98? ME? XP?)
What is the file name?
What directory is it located in?

Edit: Hi Zander, you were posting while I was typing!!!

 

JohnB
Good thing you posted anyway. I should've thought to ask about what folder it's in. As to the OS, I just assumed it's 98 unless this is posted in the wrong forum. Sorry, I could'nt resist.

 

Error 1026

 

The file is on my c: I can’t recognize the name it looks like just a bunch of symbols

 

First make sure you KNOW where is file is.

Restart in DOS mode.

Delete the file with that name it is given in DOS.

BEWARE! The file MAY be important. I have no idea what it is. You delete in DOS and it is GONE and can NOT be recovered.

That is how I get rid of files I can not delete in Windows...

 

Tried dos, refused to delete. I don't think it is a important file
because it just showed up in a dir I created.

 

Try doing it via a boot disk. Hopefully that will work...

 

Thanks I'll give it a try

 

I think I'd just rename it and move it, first. That way if it turns out to be something critical you can reverse it.

If after definitely confirming it is not needed, then delete.

Just curious but is it possible this is some sort of snapshot or backup file, perhaps a "restore" file. What have you authorized or [re]directed to be done in this folder? The fact that it can't be deleted means it's protected. It's got to be protected for a reason. (unless it is a corrupted file of some type).

 

This thing folder _ll_i>l,l_]+_ that is as close as I can come to the name of the folder. when I right click on it. It says 5files 2folders
10gb. It allso has a modified date 10/07/2097. That is what it says.
I can't delete it, move it or rename it. the reason it gives error 1026. It is not hurting anything, yet. that I can tell. I would just like to get rid of it and reclaim my 10gb.

My thanks to all

 

A bunch of symbols? Anything like this or the like?
ï â à ì æ ô ¦ ê ë § ¶
These are not normal keyboard charactors, however you can type these out by holding the ALT key and entering in a 2 or 3 digit number, then releasing the ALT key. Those above were done randomly as an example. These type of charactors in a filename causes the file not to be easily deleted, moved, or copied in windows or dos, unless you can enter in the correct sequence of charactors.
Here is an idea. This might work.
In dos, do this command for the folder is it in;
dir /b c:\{foldername or path} > c:\file.txt
In Notepad open the file c:\file.txt, and copy and paste it here. Hopefully the charactors show up, and the proper ASCII charactors can be identified.
Edit: I see that is a folder name now, sub this one then.
dir /a:d /b c:\{foldername or path} > c:\folder.txt
To use this one, you need to enter the folder that bad folder is attached to. If it is C:\Badname, use C:\ as the folder in the command above, or C:\Windows\Badname, use C:\Windows in the command.

 

To lesteet,
You are not allowed to look at this until you have followed marks suggestion or responded to it should you decide not to give this a try. Ulterior motive: I'm dying of curiosity as to what is in these folders and what files are involved.


==================

To Markp62,

I'm sorry. I have tried to hold off adding another thread to this post until lesteet came back with the results of what you have been trying to help him get.

I am now out of time and have to get these points in before leaving for the night.

I can't help adding another cook to help with this broth.


============
To lesteet further down the road....

Point one
Is your own time/date/clock set to the correct settings?

Point Two
This freeware version of this shareware tool may help. It will Move, Rename, and delete the seemable unmovable, unrenameable, undeleteable:
The Tool is called "MoveOnBoot "
http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/

The older freeware versions are on the bottom. Here's a direct link in case you can't find it:
http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/bin/moveonb.exe

Point Three
Some have better luck working with these stubborn files in older file manager winfile. I'm not going to explain further, but if nothing else suggested works this is something to keep in mind and ask about later.

Got to go..............

 

Thanks Mark. This looks complicated. It may take me a day or two. The problem is in my wife's computer. I can only work on it when she is not using it.

Lesteet

 

I downloaded moveonboot from Gibin Software House.
It could not delete it either. I will keep the download anyway
it may come in handy for something else. Thanks Christer I will keep trying too. ps- my temp file is ok & I also tried winfile could not delete. Tried dos del *.* access denied

Thanks for all
Lesteet.