can't delete directory

Dorian Grey · 07-18-2005, 02:38 AM

Hi to all!

I was attempting to install a game to my slave HDD, when it began clicking (like a crashing drive). I canceled the installation, waited for the system to catch up, and powered down. I already had a previous problem with the power connector it was on, so I switched it with another one, no more clicking.

The problem I have now is that the folder the game was installing to is still there, along with two subfolders. Trying to delete any of the folders gives the error "folder is not empty." Trying to actually access the last subfolder tells me I can't, it's "corrupted and unreadable."

Every time I boot now, scandisk pops up and tells me it needs to fix this drive. I allow it, it locks up at 13% (step 1) and will not continue. A full 5 minutes later, the screen simply vanishes and the computer boots as normal.
None of my other files on the drive are damaged, I can run them as normal.
I tried using MoveOnBoot to delete it, nothing.

According to Microsoft's support site, Scandisk should fix this problem.
That's why I'm here now.

xTraz · 07-18-2005, 02:46 AM

Have you tried uninstalling through Add/Remove Programs? If that doesn't work, the software may have its own uninstall file that you can execute to uninstall. After that, you should clean up the Register (at Run: regedit). Then re-boot.

Dorian Grey · 07-18-2005, 03:48 AM

Thanks, xTraz.

I tried doing what you said. But these folders are not listed in Add/Remove Programs.
And there are no references in the registry for the folders.

The directories are as such, x:\Folder1\Folder2\Folder3
They are all empty except for the one folder inside the next. Folder 3 cannot be accessed.

I have renamed Folder3, I can cut and paste it to the root of the drive, I can do many things with it except deleting or opening it!

I have deleted Folder 1 and 2, so now it's just x:\Folder3

xTraz · 07-18-2005, 05:02 AM

I heard that somebody has solved a similar problem with a few DOS programs, but it needs a FAT32 file system.

**ReeKorl** · 07-18-2005, 07:01 AM

Try this:

Download the Pocket Killbox and open it. Either type the exact path of the folder or click on the folder icon next to the textbox and select the folder you want deleting. Also make sure the "Deltree (Include Subdirectories)" checkbox is ticked. Hit the white cross/red circle icon and it should hopefully delete the file.

If this doesn't work, try the Delete on Reboot option, follow the same steps said earlier and reboot. Your folder should be gone.

The Pocket Killbox does make a backup of what it deletes - it creates a folder called "!Submit" in the root of your system drive - but if it's just a directory it makes the "!Submit" folder and doesn't put anything inside, so it's safe to just remove the "!Submit" folder after you're done.

Dorian Grey · 07-19-2005, 03:36 AM

To xTraz: No, unfortunately I have NTFS file system.
To ReeKorl: I'll try to do what you say.
I appreciate your help!

07-18-2005, 02:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dorian Grey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 34 OS: WinXP	can't delete directory Hi to all! I was attempting to install a game to my slave HDD, when it began clicking (like a crashing drive). I canceled the installation, waited for the system to catch up, and powered down. I already had a previous problem with the power connector it was on, so I switched it with another one, no more clicking. The problem I have now is that the folder the game was installing to is still there, along with two subfolders. Trying to delete any of the folders gives the error "folder is not empty." Trying to actually access the last subfolder tells me I can't, it's "corrupted and unreadable." Every time I boot now, scandisk pops up and tells me it needs to fix this drive. I allow it, it locks up at 13% (step 1) and will not continue. A full 5 minutes later, the screen simply vanishes and the computer boots as normal. None of my other files on the drive are damaged, I can run them as normal. I tried using MoveOnBoot to delete it, nothing. According to Microsoft's support site, Scandisk should fix this problem. That's why I'm here now.

07-18-2005, 07:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
ReeKorl Superhuman Computer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 6th Circle, The City of Dis, Hell Posts: 1,610 OS: WinXP Pro SP2 My System	Try this: Download the Pocket Killbox and open it. Either type the exact path of the folder or click on the folder icon next to the textbox and select the folder you want deleting. Also make sure the "Deltree (Include Subdirectories)" checkbox is ticked. Hit the white cross/red circle icon and it should hopefully delete the file. If this doesn't work, try the Delete on Reboot option, follow the same steps said earlier and reboot. Your folder should be gone. The Pocket Killbox does make a backup of what it deletes - it creates a folder called "!Submit" in the root of your system drive - but if it's just a directory it makes the "!Submit" folder and doesn't put anything inside, so it's safe to just remove the "!Submit" folder after you're done. __________________ "Sorry, the number you have dialled is imaginary. Please rotate dial by 90 degrees and try again."

07-18-2005, 02:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
xTraz Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 98 OS: XP	Have you tried uninstalling through Add/Remove Programs? If that doesn't work, the software may have its own uninstall file that you can execute to uninstall. After that, you should clean up the Register (at Run: regedit). Then re-boot.

07-18-2005, 03:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dorian Grey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 34 OS: WinXP	Thanks, xTraz. I tried doing what you said. But these folders are not listed in Add/Remove Programs. And there are no references in the registry for the folders. The directories are as such, x:\Folder1\Folder2\Folder3 They are all empty except for the one folder inside the next. Folder 3 cannot be accessed. I have renamed Folder3, I can cut and paste it to the root of the drive, I can do many things with it except deleting or opening it! I have deleted Folder 1 and 2, so now it's just x:\Folder3

07-18-2005, 05:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
xTraz Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 98 OS: XP	I heard that somebody has solved a similar problem with a few DOS programs, but it needs a FAT32 file system.

07-19-2005, 03:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dorian Grey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 34 OS: WinXP	To xTraz: No, unfortunately I have NTFS file system. To ReeKorl: I'll try to do what you say. I appreciate your help!