Error deleting File (recycle bin problem)

[tase2]

Hi again

New problem

There is 1 file I just can't seem to get out of my recycle bin. I get the following error message:

ERROR DELETING FILE

Cannot delete 3_FLOP~1: cannot find the specified file. Make sure you specify the correct path and file name.

I have tried some of the DOS solutions but please give me your suggestions.

[Spider]

Originally posted by tase2:
1 file...can't seem to get out of my recycle bin.

Hi tase2,

Have you tried shutting down your machine (Shut down not Restart).
Then trying to delete the file?

[tase2]

Sorry I wrote the first post in a hurry. The file 3_FLOP... remains in my recycle bin even when it shows the bin being empty. It really doesn't matter except when you try to do a clean sweep or evidence eliminator ( to clear up space purposes) or any other similar drive cleaning program, they all get hung up on the above file in the recycle bin.

As I have read through many posts here and computing.net and alike, there seems to be a DOS solution. i.e ATTRIB -r -s -h c:\RECYCLED
DELTREE C:RECYCLED. There are 2 or 3 very similar listed solutions to this but none seem to work. I have gotten it to say "RECYCLED deleted" in DOS but that 1 file still remains after rebooting.

Of course in DOS it is hard to decyfer if there is a space or not sometimes and whether to capitalize or not and the age old \ or / problem.

So basically I would like to start from scratch with any and all suggestions.

Thanks so much.

PS I just got an email stating someone has replied, but I am posting this anyway. So if the solution is in that post, I will let you know.

[tase2]

Spider

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but the problem is that only in properties does it show that there is this mystery file. It does not show up anywhere where I can find it and delete it.

[Spider]

Originally posted by tase2:
the problem is that only in properties does it show
that there is this mystery file.

You say only in properties. Where are you getting properties
from? I mean, what method are you using that reports to you that
this file exists?

[tase2]

Spider

In C:/recycled-I right-click on properties and get

Type: Recycle Bin
Location: C:\
Size: 65 bytes (65 bytes), 4,096 bytes used
Contains: 1 Files, 0 Folders


I don't get this option if I right-click on the desktop recycle bin and properties.

Like I said I don't know where this file came from or where else it can be found now.

[degsy]

Try this,

In Windows Explorer goto Folder Options and set it to Show Hidden Files and Show Protected & System Files.

Then goto the Recyled Folder (C:\Recycled)
and delete any files into by selecting the files and using SHIFT+DEL.

Do this for any other Recycled folders (if you have more than one drive)

When done the Recycle Bin will be empty, but the icon will still show as full, so you will have to delete some files, then reboot.

You can then use the normal method to empty the recycle bin.

[Spider]

Originally posted by tase2:
In C:/recycled-I right-click on properties and get...
I don't get this option if I right-click on the desktop
recycle bin and properties.

Actually what I was looking for was what method/program are
you right clicking in. At one point there you actually said
Desktop and then I knew exactly what you were doing
in that instance but with In C:/recycled I don't know what
your using to see C:/RECYCLED. With Windows Explorer
I'm in C:\RECYCLED and... is more of what I was looking for.

Unless you say Windows Explorer I don't really know
for sure that's what your using. Remember that on this board
all we have to explain things to each other is what we type.

I know we can all assume it's Windows Explorer but I am more into
making sure users totally understand what they are doing, rather
than say click here and do this. Sometimes it is easier to just
point but this long post will be read by a few people and if just
one person says I didn't know that...cool then this long post
serves it's purpose. Please don't be offended if it sounds like I'm
talking about basic stuff but I'm going to use your post as an
opportunity to get an explanation out about Recycle Bin and
showing hidden files in Windows Explorer.

I think degsy knows where to point you. You need to show
the hidden files/folders on your system.

Let's go to the Desktop...

Start(button)
Programs
Windows Explorer not Internet Explorer. Many confuse the two
because of the word Explorer in both of them.

This program is probably one of the most used features of WindowsXX.
It provides us with a interface(fancy name for thing to work with) for
dealing with devices, files, folders, other programs, and many right-mouse
menu functions to deal with our computers.

When you delete something, on your computer, most of the time
the deleted item gets put in Recycle Bin. The most common way
to make the deleted item truly deleted and gone from your
computer is to open the Recycle Bin (two-click on Recycle Bin from
your Desktop icon) and from the menu in Recycle Bin select
File
Empty Recycle Bin

This same function can be performed through Windows Explorer
by going to C:\RECYCLED and highlighting the file(s) there and selecting
delete.

Files in the Recycle Bin consume hard drive space. Although they have
been deleted they are not truly gone. It's Microsoft's way of making
sure a deletion is not permanent until you triple delete the file.
1) Delete from hard drive
2) delete from Recycle Bin
3) confirm from Recycle Bin
Microsoft figures that if you delete it 3 times then for sure it isn't
an accidental deletion.

Now back to your problem...

Do what degsy said. So that's...
Start(button)
Programs
Windows Explorer
in the Windows Explorer menu select
View
Folder Options...
then select the
View(tab)
in that list is
Hidden Files
and under it is 3 selections, you want
Show all files selected by making sure there is a dot in the
center of that radio button(fancy name for a little circle).

Once this is done try double clicking in the Recycle Bin icon on
your Desktop and see if anything is showing.

Edited for corrections

[ 02 February 2002: Message edited by: Spider ]