Re: The directory is invalid

A "." is an illegal filename in Windows and is illegal to use at the end of
a file of folder name. Notice the trailing period at the end of your
directory.

Method #1:
Delete any file/folder from the command prompt by prefixing the full path
with "\\.\"

Example A: rd \\.\C:\folder\subfolder
Example B: del \\.\C:\folder\file

Note: Be certain to leave out the space after the period following the
double slashes: \\.\. Otherwise an error stating "The filename, directory
name, or volume label syntax is incorrect" will occur. Also, sometimes a
directory name cannot be seen because it appears as a space. Find out the
8.3 Name generated for it by running dir /x from a command prompt then
delete the file by using the 8.3 name.

Method #2: Use rm.exe from the NT Resource kit.

Note: Use wildcards in the file name if it is excessively long or has
hidden/special characters:

del \\.\C:\foldername\*some-file-name*.*

Method #3:
Change the name of the parent directory to be shorter then try to delete the
file.

Method #4:
At a CMD prompt, execute a dir /x /a command to get the short name of the
folder, and then execute a simple rmdir command to remove the folder.

Further reference:
How to Remove Files with Reserved Names in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q120716/

You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320081

Another great tool:
http://www.deletefxpfiles.com/

And:
http://helpdesk.kixtart.org/KixUtilsTasks.asp

--
Todd J Heron, MCSE
Windows Server 2003/2000/NT; CCA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights

"R Macioce" <RMacioce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:99C78AFF-8B98-4B8C-B8F3-DA6E12DF6BE7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My backup exec backup is failing with the error Access denied to directory
Websites\OurDotCom\Sites\images\_notes\home_page_wrench_r20_c14.gif.mno\.
When I go to this directory in file explorer I get the error "The directory
is invalid". I have tried deleting it by removing the read only attribute
and through dos and still have no success. It contains 0 bytes per the
properties Does anyone have know how I can get rid of this directory?
--
R Macioce

.

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