cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk

dss_cottage · 11-27-2009, 02:02 PM

Can someone point me in the right direction. I've been searching and attempting to fix this for a couple of days without luck.

My Problem
I have a file that I can not delete. When I try, I get the message "cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk"
The file extension ends with a space and is reported a 0 KB in size.

Here is what I've attempted:
1. Normal delete and well as "Shift+Delete". I get the above message.
2. Tried to scan the file for a virus. Got the error message "Scan was completed with error. Error:The system cannot find the file specified."
3. Virus scanned the folder. Scan completed - no virus found.
4. Attempted to open the file in Notepad by opening Notepad then dragging the file. Got the error message "The system cannot find the file specified."
5. Attempted to create the same file name in the same location using Notepad. i.e. Hoping to replace the file. I got the usual message that the file already exists and I granted permission to replace it. However, I still cannot delete the replaced file.
6. Booted in Safe Mode and attempted to delete. Same result.
7. Ran "CHKDSK" No problems - still cannot delete.
8. Opened a DOS window. Closed Explorer.exe using TaskManager. Then attempted to delete the file in the DOS window. Got the error message "File cannot be found"
9. One post suggested deleting the file in a DOS window but prefacing the file name with "\\?\" That didn't work either.
10. Installed a program called "Remove on Boot" which is supposed to delete undeletable files on Reboot. i.e. After installing the prog, right click the file and click "Remove on Next Reboot". During the reboot process, I got the following error message "Run-time Error "53": File not found"
11. I created 2 additional files in the directory which alphabetically appear immediately before and after the suspect file. Then highlighted all 3 files and tried to delete. Same result.

Unless my brain has turned to mush (which is entirely possible), I can't think of another option.

Can anyone help?

HarvMan · 11-27-2009, 04:38 PM

Please refer to this article: http://blog.dotsmart.net/2008/06/12/...-file-or-disk/

Perhaps it may provide insight and a solution.

HarvMan · 11-27-2009, 04:41 PM

Sorry, please disregard my reply as I now see you have tried the "\\?\" option.

TomHax · 11-28-2009, 02:32 AM

You could try using the program 'Unlocker'. Download it here.

dss_cottage · 11-28-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomHax

You could try using the program 'Unlocker'. Download it here.

U
TomHax,
Unlocker did the trick! The file wasn't locked or in use but it deleted the file.

Thank-you very much!!!!!!

dss_cottage

TomHax · 11-29-2009, 03:52 PM

I'm glad I could help! :)

11-27-2009, 02:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
dss_cottage Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 11 OS: XP	cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk Can someone point me in the right direction. I've been searching and attempting to fix this for a couple of days without luck. My Problem I have a file that I can not delete. When I try, I get the message "cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk" The file extension ends with a space and is reported a 0 KB in size. Here is what I've attempted: 1. Normal delete and well as "Shift+Delete". I get the above message. 2. Tried to scan the file for a virus. Got the error message "Scan was completed with error. Error:The system cannot find the file specified." 3. Virus scanned the folder. Scan completed - no virus found. 4. Attempted to open the file in Notepad by opening Notepad then dragging the file. Got the error message "The system cannot find the file specified." 5. Attempted to create the same file name in the same location using Notepad. i.e. Hoping to replace the file. I got the usual message that the file already exists and I granted permission to replace it. However, I still cannot delete the replaced file. 6. Booted in Safe Mode and attempted to delete. Same result. 7. Ran "CHKDSK" No problems - still cannot delete. 8. Opened a DOS window. Closed Explorer.exe using TaskManager. Then attempted to delete the file in the DOS window. Got the error message "File cannot be found" 9. One post suggested deleting the file in a DOS window but prefacing the file name with "\\?\" That didn't work either. 10. Installed a program called "Remove on Boot" which is supposed to delete undeletable files on Reboot. i.e. After installing the prog, right click the file and click "Remove on Next Reboot". During the reboot process, I got the following error message "Run-time Error "53": File not found" 11. I created 2 additional files in the directory which alphabetically appear immediately before and after the suspect file. Then highlighted all 3 files and tried to delete. Same result. Unless my brain has turned to mush (which is entirely possible), I can't think of another option. Can anyone help?

11-27-2009, 04:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 156 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk Please refer to this article: http://blog.dotsmart.net/2008/06/12/...-file-or-disk/ Perhaps it may provide insight and a solution.

11-27-2009, 04:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 156 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk Sorry, please disregard my reply as I now see you have tried the "\\?\" option.

11-28-2009, 02:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
TomHax Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 32 OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition SP3	Re: cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk You could try using the program 'Unlocker'. Download it here.

11-29-2009, 03:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
TomHax Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 32 OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition SP3	Re: cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk I'm glad I could help! :)