I'm a new guy here so please bear with me.
Sorry in advance for the book but I figured it was better to put up everything I've tried so people wouldn't waste their time suggesting things I've already tried.
I've also made posts over at http://help.lockergn...showtopic=30873
and
http://www.theelderg...showtopic=12306
The file name I'm dealing with is BE_1_|1.gif and its a true pain in the ***.
I can not delete it even after trying many methods including those suggested at http://www.theelderg...etable_file.htm,
and the programs:
WhoLockMe,
ForceDel,
KillBox,
HiJackthis,
DrDelete,
MoveOn,
SureDelete,
also:
booting up in safe mode - then attempting deletion,
clearing the MRUD's - then attempting deletion,
...and also by using the CMD prompt (DOS Prompt) and trying "del" and "rd" etc....
I should mention that I first tried to use the standard deletion methods such as "delete" key, right-click "delete", dragging to the Recycle bin, etc....
Depending on how I try to delete this file, it either gives me a "file/path not recognized", "Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disk" or "File does not seem to exist" error. (See screenshots below.)
I took some more screenshots to show whats going on.
They can be found at photobucket.com/albums/b197/dakotaav8r_01/
FWIW:
- I have run "check disk" and "defrag" a few times recently, if this matters,
- This file has been lurking around for quite some time and never triggers any AV programs, AdAware or Spybot, etc...,
- Attempts to rename do not work,
- Attempts to delete with AbsoluteShield File Shredder do not work either.
The "|" in the file name seems to have something to do with it but I'm not a techie so I have no idea for certain.
Also take a look at these screenshots...
FIRST:
Here notice how that at the end of the DOS window after attempting to delete the file its "reply" is this:
'1.gif' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file
To me that seems kind of odd.
Why does it say '1.gif' when the file name is BE_1_|1.gif ??
Doesn't that seem odd to anyone else?
It seems like that "upright" or what ever you call this "|" thing... is causing some kind of problem.
FYI, this file originally was in a folder that I copied from IE's temporary internet files. I copied that folder from the temporary internet folder to the desktop, looked thru it, kept what I needed to and was able to delete everything else.
I can rename the folder that BE_1_|1.gif resided in but I can not move either the folder or the actual file now.
I also can not rename BE_1_|1.gif either with the right click or by using Irfanviews batch editor.
and these...
It seems odd that KillBox first could not find the file then could not delete it.
It seems like the "upright" in the name of BE_1_|1.gif is causing the programs or delete command to not be able to find the file for some reason.
I'm firmly convinced that it directly tied to the "|" in the filename BE_1_|1.gif and it has to do with either how DOS and/or NTSF handles files and the naming issues or with how Windows XP handles files/filenames.
The "|" seems to confuse programs and scripts (or whatever) and they either can not find the file or call it an "invalid file name"... which makes me ask... how in the h*ll did it get that file name in the first place???
. . .
The only suggestion I have yet to try are Roxanne's suggestions regarding BartPE and Knoppix.
Any help would be appreciated as I'm completely stumped on this.
~DA