Re: Corrupted and Unreadable Files

Hi, Ed.

You've given us very few clues as to what kind of files these are. :>( "I've tried everything" doesn't give us anything to go on, and neither does "it didn't work". And we don't know what you consider "standard actions".

When you tried "to open, copy, move or delete either these files or folders", HOW did you try, and what results did you see? Was there an error message? What did it say? Were you using the GUI or in a "DOS" window? Are you comfy with "DOS" commands?

Inability to delete files and folders is a frequently-reported problem here. Often the hangup is with illegal characters - perhaps hidden characters - in the filenames. In that case, we often suggest to open a "DOS" window and use the Dir command with the /x switch. Dir /x produces a normal directory with one extra column. Before the LFN (Long File Name) is a column showing the SFN (also known as the 8.3 filename) for any file whose name is not a legitimate SFN. Even a very short name can be an LFN if it includes a character, such as a space, which is not allowed in an 8.3 filename. Once the SFN is known, the Del <SFN> command often works.

That is only my first guess based on almost zero information, so it may well be very wrong. You might have already tried it, but you didn't say that. If you will post back and give us something to sink our teeth into, we may be able to help you.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Microsoft Windows MVP

"Ed C" <econgleton@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:u2A9yN46FHA.4076@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Both Chkdsk /f and Chkdsk ./r do nott work. Have also tried 'del' at command prompt. Believe me, I have tried the 'standard' actions. None work. I turned to this Newsgroup because I need something that goes beyond the standard actions..

Ed C


"seth" <seth@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:%238Iv2r36FHA.2364@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
chkdsk /f

"Ed C" <econgleton@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:%23yWAo7s6FHA.4012@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have several (20+) files/folders in the /My Documents folder. I'm unable to open, copy, move or delete either these files or folders. How do I 'fix' this problem?

Ed C 

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