Can't Delete a File in XP

Kappar

I've recovered a file that was deleted it is now on my desktop. It is caled something really long

0000001333jkummtziricpezbpcxitrclvrpkqjjupjcufxnpynscfpbswnxnpyztyeshedcrufkfyqqilxvfsotucjzungybhfnlespksafjveoyovntgqlcxpzjqekentwdvqitcslmzcqgwhtyahokahxpdetwiyrqgksmpkawpwjzbkkcecnmampsewkwisxgqqcjuduuvbbzudkmvosdqfzaxstafekgctxelwtovfezso

it has no file suffix i.e .xxx and has zero file sise now xp won't delete it when i right click it i get "open" and "send to" i'v tried everything i can to try and delete it draged it to the bin i've used eraser to try and delete it but i shos it in its file box but when you select delete it say the file's not there anyone know what i can do.

DOS prompt's del command will that work cause i dont want to type all that file name out for nothing!!!!

Thanks

demac

Try deleting the file in Safe Mode.

It might also be good to run a virus checker !!

Mr. Fancypants

You can use copy and paste in a DOS window. Might be handy.

Dun

You can copy and past alright, but you have to click on the left corner button of the cmd window and select Edit->Paste as ctrl+v won't work directly.

Stark

XP has filename autocompletion in command prompt mode. Just type the first few letters of the filename, then press TAB

Kappar

DOS Prompt says "File name or extension too long" i can't remame the file because i can't get the option in the right click menu.

<edit> how do you get in to safe mode in XP ?</edit>

Stark

Press F8 key at very start of windows xp bootup. This will bring up a menu from which you can choose safe mode.

Dun

Originally posted by k.oriordan
XP has filename autocompletion in command prompt mode. Just type the first few letters of the filename, then press TAB

It's not set up automatically though - you can set it up easily in TweakUI.

Originally posted by Kappar
<edit> how do you get in to safe mode in XP ?</edit>

Press F8 repeatedly after restarting the computer until you see a screen with the safe mode options.

Stark

auto completion is enabled automatically in xp. You only need tweakui for win2000

Dun

I've had to set it up twice on mine, once in the beginning, once after a reinstall - Home Ed.

Kappar

No luck with safe mode it wouldn't delete and when i got it to try and rename it would just beep and wouldn't work.

the file has the hidden, read only, and all the advanced option selected and when i unselected them the just turned back on.
is this the problom?

Bard

file name too long?

dont tell it the file name then.

just give it an unusual extension.

like... add ".sploggy" to the end of it and then in dos prompt type:

del *.sploggy

... well its an idea

Catalyst

Could try directing long file to a text file i.e cd into directory where the file exists then do dir > list, edit list to a batch file that reads

rename longfilename xxxxx
del xxxxx

rename list to list.bat and run

.....just a thought, hope it works

Pimp Ninja

Get blank floppy disk and stick it in the drive.

Open My computer, right click on the floppy drive and select format.

Tick the Create DOS boot disk at the bottom and hit start.

When the disk is complete reboot the computer with the disk in the drive.

Once booted you'll have the a:\ prompt

Enter the following:
c: [enter]
cd Documents and settings\[user]\desktop [enter]
attrib 00000013[press tab if autocomplete is on] -h -r -s [enter]
del 00000013[press tab if autocomplete is on] [enter]


For [user] replace with whatever your username is.

Ste.phen

I dunno if this will work without the file having an extension,
but I had a similar problem before and jsut typing
del 000*
from the dos prompt worked, in my case it was del 000*.xxx
but I think it'll work with no extension?

Kappar

Thank you all. I love you all you tips on using a * mask did the job great.


Love and kisses :rolleyes:

KaPPar