Cannot delete "My Old Disk Structure" fo

[Kevin Bonise]

Has anyone else had this problem? I did a system recovery recently on my Windows XP system, and a folder called "My Old Disk Stucture" was created in the root drive (all my old files). I have tried everything and cannot delete this folder. What's really strange is that I was able to delete the contents so now the folder appears to be empty, but the computer thinks it's a 3 GB folder. Any attempt to delete eventually is interrupted with the error message: Error deleting File or Folder. Cannote delete Dc4. Access is denied. Make sure the disk is full or write protected and that the file is not currently in use."

[Mac]

Have you tried deleting it in DOS?

>DEL C:\Foldername

[merlin_2]

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_undeletable_file.htm  and for future use>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308419

[Kevin Bonise]

Thanks so much. Someone else also suggested that to me this morning. But they also warned that there may be something important in that folder that potentially could screw things up if deleted, so I'd better back up any important documents. I'm thinking that if it's my old disk structure, then it shouldn't affect anything at all. Would you agree with that?

[merlin_2]

It depends on what is in your old disk structure folder ...was this an upgrade if so it may contain files needed for your upgrade...as is  a microsoft its conning the user to believe that they have a brand new o/s...as files are used from the old system...and also if the user get fed-up with windows xp they can uninstall it if they wish?always pays to check any folder deletion anyways...>play safe it pays..

[Mac]

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_undeletable_file.htm  and for future use>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308419

Tried that Merlin_2, but it did not delete the folder, just the new.txt file I put in it.

Deleting from the Recovery Console should work alright though.

[Kevin Bonise]

Tried your suggestion last night, booting from a Win98 startup disk, but the DOS didn't recognize my C: drive because it's NTFS. Next, tried a simple RD (remove directory) command from a command window within XP, but it returns a directory not empty message. XP shows this folder to be 3 GB, but there are no files in it, hidden or otherwise. Finally tried to run D:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons as per the XP help instructions, but my recovery CD doesn't have that file. I'm thinking now that my next solution may have to include the use of explosives.

[Computer_Commando]

Try booting to Safe Mode and then delete it.  That directory is probably a Recovery Point name and cannot be deleted when booted in Normal Mode.  You can also boot with the Win98 disk and run a small program called NTFSDOS which will allow DOS to read and write to NTFS.
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfsdos.shtml

[merlin_2]

http://www.diskcleaners.com/clndisk.html
http://www.theabsolute.net/sware/dskinv.html  two links that be may of use?maybe its on partition of your hard drive ...have also have a look in disk management..

[Kevin Bonise]

Thanks, gentlemen. I'll try the utilities from those links, Merlin. The Safe Mode idea didn't work; did the RD command, and it STILL denied me access. Thanks again for all the help. This site rocks...