[lostlproph3t]

Hi, I want to delete a folder in my External hard drive and it has what seems to be an endless loop of Empty\recycled\empty\recycled etc etc
I've tried several things such as the cmd prompt rd /s on it and it just says cannot find the file specified, and I've tried ccleaner and essentially the same happens.
The folder has maybe 400mb inside

How can I delete it for sure

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lostlproph3t

What is the name of the folder and what are the contents?

[rshaffer61]

lostlproph3t

What is the name of the folder and what are the contents?

[lostlproph3t]

well i changed the name of it. i don't quite recall the original name. might have been Recycled
inside that is a folder named empty
inside that is a folder named Recycled + 6 files named 5, B, B, e, e, M (1 kb, 3.5mb, 3.3 mb, 7.2mb, 2.8mb, 6.9mb)
inside Recycled is a folder named empty
inside empty is a folder named Recycled + 6 files named 5, B, B, e, e, M (1 kb, 3.5mb, 3.3 mb, 7.2mb, 2.8mb, 6.9mb)
and on and on and on

this goes on for quite a while...i give up before reaching the end

[rshaffer61]

Have you tried booting to Safe Mode and deleting the folder? It may be the folder is in use in normal mode.

[lostlproph3t]

Well the issue here isn't that it's in use, it's that they cannot read the file from source or disk
the entire folder and subfolders are read only, but anytime i change it, it instantly reverts

[rshaffer61]

If it is a recycle folder then you can't change anything in it. The files you listed make no sense and may be part of something like Norton Recycle.
If you right click on the main folder and then go to properties what info does it give?

[lostlproph3t]

well I don't use Norton

size:375mb
contains: 96 files, 33 folders
created july 14 2013
read only

it makes scanners and stuff hang because they get into that endless loop of folders.
i right clicked my desktop recycle bin and made sure in its properties i no longer allotted space for a recycle bin on the external drive

[rshaffer61]

IS it on the main drive or a external drive?

[lostlproph3t]

Hi, I want to delete a folder in my External hard drive and it has what seems to be an endless loop of Empty\recycled\empty\recycled etc etc
I've tried several things such as the cmd prompt rd /s on it and it just says cannot find the file specified, and I've tried ccleaner and essentially the same happens.
The folder has maybe 400mb inside

How can I delete it for sure

[rshaffer61]

OK it has to be a hidden folder on the external then and that is why it won't delete. This may be a protected file so it may not be able to be deleted but I want to try one other option. Using a Linux Live CD we may be able to get rid of the file. Follow the instructions below to gain access to the external drive and try deleting the files in it.
If the external is not connected and you run the scanner and other programs without the external connected do they still hang?


UPDATED April 20, 2012

Use Puppy Linux Live CD to Recover Your Data:

===================
***Required Hardware***
CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,
Blank CD,
Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)
===================

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

• Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-528.iso)
  Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software
  
  There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivel...e-from-windows/
  
  
• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer
• Extract All files to a location you can remember
• Double Click BurnCDCC
• Click Browse and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded
• Open/Double Click that file
  IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x
• Click Start
• Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically
• Insert a blank CD and close the tray
• Click OK

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created
2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second

• Start the computer/press the power button
• Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"
  (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
• Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:
  CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
• Open your ROM drive and insert the disk
• Press F10 to save and exit
• Agree with "Y" to continue
• Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD
  
  

3. Recover Your Data

• Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.
  
  3a. Mount Drives
• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.
• A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.
• Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.
• USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.
• If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.

3b. Transfer Files.

• At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.
• Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1
• Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1
• If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)
• From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.

For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.

Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!





If you're doing this to recover from a virus or malware infection, (or even if you're not), DO NOT copy executable files (.exe, .scr. etc...) if any of these files are infected you could be copying the corruption over to any new device/computer. just copy documents, pictures, music, or videos.