Hi all,
I have a problem with deleting unwanted files from my documents. They are marked at the moment with normal icon for Word but without the smaller `W` at the top left corner. They can be changed to open in any type of file under `Properties`, that is Acrobat, Int.Expl. or XML Ed. etc. and the file icon changes to whichever I pick. However I can`t delete them, move them or even email them to my worst enemy.
They are marked File Type: File but each time I try to move, delete I have a screen which says ` cannot delete file: cannot read read from the source or disk`. They contain 0 bytes, so obviously saved in error by me, but I don`t know how I managed it!!
Any ideas to get rid of them please?
Uglybloke Sat 04/10/08 16:20
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where are the files located?
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The large W denotes icon for Word Program. The smaller W on left corner of page denotes File. If you have 8 large W showing in 'My Documents' then you have 8 Word programs running in there.
I presume you want to delete 8 Word program icons? Right klik on each Properties. In properties you will find where the program location. If 'location' is c:\Documents and setting\Uglyman\my documents then you are looking at a File and not the Program.
What Word program have you loaded. Is it compatible to the Windows version you are using? Maybe go to Control Panel/Add Remove/Word program or whole Microsoft Office.
Switch off pc for 2mins. Switch back on. Go to My Documents & delete unwanted files.
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Question Author
Hi AC
I downloaded Force Delete and selected 1 of the 8 to delete, but pressed the delete and it`s still there! I wrote a new file & saved it, then tried Force Delete on it, and it worked.
So that`s not the answer either!
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hmmm could try this (and this assumes you know a little about navigating round the file system from the command prompt)
Close all running programs (so you may have to print this)
Click start and run and then type "cmd" into the run box and hit enter to open a command prompt
on start menu select shut down and when the box asking if you want to shut down or restart comes up hold down ctrl-shift-alt and click cancel (this will shut down explorer so you start menu will disappear)
Then goto the command prompt that will still be open and navigate to the folder the files are stored in and type del <filename> for each file you want to delete.
Once down press ctrl-alt-delete to bring up the task manager and click on the applications tab, then new task and type in EXPLORER.EXE and hit enter to bring your start menu back.
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one thing none of us has asked is what EXACTLY are the file names - all 8 of them and which folder are they in?
before you do this you need to make a change to your system.
open my computer - get to the folder in question
from the menu select tools | folder options | View
in the window you'll see a lot of tickboxes
make sure that from the top the first 7 are ALL ticked
also tick
show hidden files and folders
and take the ticks OUT of
Hide extensions for known file types
and
Hide protected operating system files
apply/ok you way back
finally - from the top menu (file edit etc>)
view | details
now with the explorer window open and displaying the files in question
press Alt + PrtScr
open paint (start | all Progams | accessories | paint)
now
edit | paste (or Ctrl + V)
(this should give a snapshot of the folder)
now use
save as (give it a name)
(make it a GIF or JPG)
and then post the picture here
http://www.tinypic.com/
come back with the link and then we can all see what you see.
(if you could also ring the samaritans - I'm loosing the will to live!)
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Question Author
terambulan
The location is My Documents-----not `and settings etc.` The Word prog. is compatible.
CF Did that as well, but still there.
AC - It all went well, until I looked for Paint (or something similar) under Accessories, and it wasn`t there! I did a search files/folders and it says it`s in Documents and settings but I can`t find it.
Rang the Samaritans and they say after me you`re next.
I`ve tried Cif and bleach on the screen and shouted Cillet Bang, but they`re still there!
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Question Author
AC - I`ve taken pics. of the screens, 4 in all and posted at the link you provided www.tinypic.com as DSC00313, 4, 5 and 6.
names as Suicidal Uglybloke
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oh dear - we're not doing too well are we?
when you upload the file - you are taken to another page
Links to Share
one of the options is
Direct Link for Layouts
http://i36.tinypic.com/ao8jsg.jpg
you need to post ALL this info for us to see it
not your filename
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your
Direct Link for Layouts
will be different to the one I gave!
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Looks like everything else works on ur pc except for this bug/worm of 8files. Leave them be for now & move on with your life.
Or sell pc on ebay.....give us the link & we can take it from there?
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Question Author
AC
I just downloaded irfanview and opened documents, all folders and files are showing except the 8 I`m trying to delete. When I close Irfan, and open Docs in the normal way, they`re there again.
So I can`t copy the screen you want, the files don`t show up! Thanks for all your hard work, I`ll try to read `Computers for Idiots` again or perhaps take up Terambulans suggestion.
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Windows file names compatibility:
• Windows uses two different file systems: the File Allocation Table (FAT) file system and New Technology File System (NTFS).
• File and folder names may be up to 255 characters long on FAT file systems and 256 characters long on NTFS. Full pathnames may be up to 260 characters long.
• There is a limit to the full pathnames of 260 characters long.
• Backslash "\" is used as the directory separator.
• File and directory names may not contain the special characters: "/\*?<>|:
Periods are allowed in file and directory names, but not as the last character. for example "letter.doc" is legal but "letterdoc." is illegal file name.
• Filenames preserves case but are not case sensitive.
basically I think I'm beaten - chuck?
possibly with hands on .... but not by remote
try opening a commant prompt (or dos window
and type
del "c:\documents and settings\stwstrz@ds.pipex.co\johnfw~1.*"
it's all one line "documents and settings" has 2 spaces - and you must be exact (you could even copy and paste it
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Y not re-load Windows & everythin else. Or delete Office from the Control Panel.....& re-load
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Yeah only one idea. long shot though
Try right clicking on one of the files and select rename and see if you can rename it, if you can rename it to delete1.txt
If that works it should change the icon to a different one.
Then right click on you desktop and select new > text document and call that delete1
Then try dragging the file you just created into the folder where the undeletable files are located, if it prompts do you want to overwrite say yes.
Then try and delete the file from the folder.
if it works repeat for each file in turn
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screenshots would have been much better... shakey hands Handsomebloke ;) x
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