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14 Posts
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41741
April 16th, 2003 00:00
Cannot Delete File
I am running windows XP and I cannot delete a file I recieve the error message " cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk". The file is empty any ideas how to remove, right clicking and delete does not work.
I have the same problem as escdoc88 on 9-30-2002 (above problem)
Error Message: Cannot delete file: Cannot Read from the source file or disk.
I read your reply and went to the file you suggested but I do not have the knowledge I need to complete the task. You said to use the command prompt to delete files. I went to the command prompt but could not come up with the file. Also I do not understand the /x switch command. Is there some place else that explain this more elementary . I do not what to delete a wrong file.
Thank you
redwolfe_98
2 Intern
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April 17th, 2003 10:00
Message Edited by redwolfe_98 on 04-17-2003 07:53 AM
updatexp.com
6 Posts
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April 17th, 2003 13:00
Hi,
Have you tried booting into a command prompt and deliting that way? i.e before windows XP gets a hold on the folder/file...
More XP Info: http://www.updatexp.com
jmwills
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12K Posts
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April 17th, 2003 14:00
You can reach a command prompt within XP by going to:
Start>Run>CMD (Enter)
DOS is not contained with XP but a command prompt can be reached.
ChrisRLG
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April 17th, 2003 14:00
ChrisRLG
2 Intern
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3.9K Posts
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April 17th, 2003 14:00
I don't believe that you can boot to dos inside winxp and if you boot to dos with a boot disk you will not be able to read drive c: if it is formated with NTFS.
Appetiser
29 Posts
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April 17th, 2003 15:00
RxVrk
We must eventually get rid of this file for you. Is it a file or a directory? If a directory is it empty or containing files? If it is a directory and not a file can you try the following:
Use safe mode, restart the computer, press f8 before windows startup logo appears, use up/down arrow keys to select safe mode with command prompt, when the command prompt window appears enter
rmdir /s c:\thefull\pathname\ofthedirectory (type the bold as is and the actual name of your directory)
then restart by typing shutdown -s -t 0
RxVrk
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April 17th, 2003 15:00
Schootre
I tried the cut and paste to file. It came up with the same errorCannot Read from the source file.
Thank You.
Appetiser
29 Posts
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April 17th, 2003 15:00
Command windows and safe mode can appear difficult if you haven't worked in DOS mode in the past. Looking at the begining of your email you say the file is called C:\Documents and Setting\MyName\MyDocuments\My Pictures\Photo Class that space in Photo class will be a minor problem for the command window. Maybe this wil lwork.
Open up a command window: start > all programs > accessories > comand prompt
You should now have a window with a black background
Type CD C:\Documents and Setting\MyName\MyDocuments\My Pictures\
Type DEL "Photo Class"
The quotes are important in the last bit to mange that space in the file name. If the command prompt doesn't work try the same commands in the safe mode. One of these should work.
RxVrk
14 Posts
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April 17th, 2003 15:00
It is a file. I went into the safe mode and started direction and got scared. I was in a area that I was not comfortable with my lack of expertise . I have also tried to go throught commad prompt and I can not get the director to come up. I must be doing something wrong. I have already delete the HKey file about a month ago( I was having trouble deleting file in Video Wave. )
This weekend my teenage son and I are going to go through all these wonderful help Post and redo them . Maybe I am missing something. Some times 2 head are better than one.
Is there any way I can but type of file (file folder) into it properties. I will not let me type anything in that area.Is there some special key or something that allows typing in this area.
Thanks you for all the help
.
Mary G
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April 17th, 2003 17:00
volcano11
2 Intern
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28K Posts
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April 17th, 2003 21:00
If you boot from the Windows XP CD-ROM you can eventually get to a DOS like command prompt where you should be able to delete the file outside of Windows XP.
Steve
schootre
250 Posts
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April 18th, 2003 19:00
ChrisRLG
2 Intern
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3.9K Posts
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April 18th, 2003 21:00
I did suggest that the space may not in fact be a space, back in old DOS days I remember a program that installed with a non standard charactor that displayed as a space, it did so to stop its file from being deleted. Could this be the same here.
RxVrk
14 Posts
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April 18th, 2003 21:00
The file is still on my computer. I am going to go in to Reference and see what I am doing wrong with my dos command. It just keeps comming up no such file(The system cannot find the path specfied.) I have spaced, no spaced, s'd , capital, no capital and nothing . You are right about this Forum - it is great
RxVrk
schootre
250 Posts
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April 18th, 2003 22:00
The file must have come from a cd or floppy.If you put it back in the drive,XP
will then have the path
maybe.