Cannot delete file with trailing period in filename

Somehow, I know not how, about a dozen zero-byte files have showed up on our desktops in the past couple days (multiple users)--all of which files have trailing periods in the file names.  I recognize these files names as .eml files that were once saved to a folder as .eml files, i.e., outside Outlook Express.  They are not important and I have tried to delete them, but no go.  I have tried safe mode, and using command prompt to find them under DOS in the users /Desktop directories.  They do not appear in the lists.  Under Windows, the message comes up that the files cannot be found.

 

Also my system checks out fully clean of any viruses or spyware (per Norton Internet Security 2006).

 

I understand there is or has been an issue with WindowsXP that is a problem with trailing periods and trailing spaces in file names.  The Windows removal documentation online is cryptic and unclear to me as I am not so advanced a user and do not want to make some awful blunder, messing with registries and the like.

 

I really could use some competent and experienced advice with this problem.  This annoyance has consumed most of the day to no avail.  Anyone had any succesful experience with this kind of thing?