Re: Corrupted and Unreadable Files

 
"R. C. White" <rc@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:ufqwNc86FHA.1028@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...
> 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".

I am running XP PTO updated to all latest security patches (except for Messanger which is disabled)
 
I do NOT use \My Documents for anything but downloads. The 'corrupted and unreadable' files are a collection of files/folders downloaded using IE and OE. They include ..pdf, ..zip, exe and other Office-type files. None of them have been created from my keyboard (i.e. save as....); all were created using OE's and IE's 'save' options.
 
The sub-directories (also corrupted) were created automatically when I extract a zip file.  
 
The only thing all these files/folders have in common is the same date: 11/1/2005 1:55 am. It's as if someone waved a magic wand. I'm not up that late!!!!! I don't belive I have any program set to do something automatically at that time but I do get Windows' and Norton automatical updates at anytime. I've never paid attention as to when that happens.
 
Standard actions I have already taken: Right click, left click. Cut. Send to. Copy. Delete. Rename. ETC ETC. Have used both Windows (including Safe Mode) GIF and a CMD (DOS)  windows.  NOTHING WORKS.
 
Have also used fsutil. It says my c:\ drive is 'dirty.' None of the other have this message.  I think this causes 'chkdsk' to run everytime on boot up. Nothing happens; report only shows '0 bad sectors.' Have also forced 'chkdsk /r' and 'chkdsk /f' at the command window prompt. Doesn't run until I reboot. Can't tell if switches are active since nothing happens.
 
The error message for the about actions is either, ' you do not have permission...' or 'can not find file....' (usually in a cmd window) or 'file is corrupted and unreadable.'

> 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?
 
See above. I have been a 'nerd' since the late ''70s, before DOS (TANDY). Yes I know DOS commands.  I also have access to a team of experts in our local user group.  For that reason, I have already tried the most obvious actions.
 
> 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.
 
I get SFN for only one or two of the files; all of the directories have an SFN. Typical message for the 'del' command is, 'The file or directiory is corrupted and unreadable'
>
> 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.
I have checked all my drives using Disk Management. It says they are all 'healthy.' Same with S.M.A.R.T.
 
You will have to come up with something far more advanced. Editing the registry??? Doing something (anything) to my MFT. Something else!!!
 
The last thing in the world I want to do is reinstall XP. I have far too many program files (downloaded).  I fear I will never be able to recreate my present configurations.
 
I am living with these corrupted files by switching my downloading to another partition on the same drive. But I want to know what caused them and how they can be deleted. Also, they cause a lot of error messages during backups.
 
Thanks for ANY suggestions.
 
Ed C.
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
> rc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Microsoft Windows MVP
>
> "Ed C" <econgleton@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:u2A9yN46FHA.4076@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...
>> 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@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...
>>> chkdsk /f
>>>
>>> "Ed C" <econgleton@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>> news:%23yWAo7s6FHA.4012@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...
>>>>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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