Need help with an undeletable folder.

[Broni]

it just comes back with the same line "The directory is not empty"

This is very strange. The above error should come up only, if folder is not empty, and you use "rd" command without any switch.
/S (switch) = Removes all directories and files in the specified directory in addition to the directory itself. Used to remove a directory tree.
It's a replacement command for former "deltree" command.

What Fed was talking about is this.
At Command Prompt run this:
ATTRIB -S -H -R D:\some_directory\stubborn_folder
Then, try "rd" command again.

SimpleTech does not manufacture HDD's....find out what's in there

Give them a call:
Call us 6:30 am to 5:30 pm PST, Monday through Friday
800.945.3444 | 949.477.7700

[flomtl]

i did what fed said, same result "Directory is not empty"

I cant find what HDD is inside teh simpletech.. i guess ill give them a call on monday seeing as they arent open on weekends...
anyone have another idea?

[Broni]

Keep in mind, that chkdsk found errors....

Since nothing better to do, try to take ownership of that folder: http://www.winxptutor.com/ownership.htm

[patio]

Keep in mind, that chkdsk found errors....

Since nothing better to do, try to take ownership of that folder: http://www.winxptutor.com/ownership.htm

If it couldn't be deleted in safe mode i'll bet you a Beer he won't be able to take ownership of it either...

[Broni]

Hey, Beer is never bad, won, or lost

[Fed]

How about using DOS to remove the file attributes first then try deleting them again with DOS then delete the empty directory.

What happened when you tried to delete the files?
What file names did you use?

[flomtl]

@Fed. When i try to delete the file (using DOS, or just right click -> delete) on both i get the same error "Directory is not empty"
what do u mean by what file names? it has only letters in it if thats what you meant...

[Fed]

When i try to delete the file (using DOS, or just right click -> delete) on both i get the same error "Directory is not empty"

There are Directories (Folders) and there are files, by the Windows & DOS response you have a Directory on your computer that has Files in it.
OK so far?
What I asked you to do was to remove the attributes from the files within the directory then try and delete those files and then delete the directory, all in DOS.
You may need to use the *.* wildcard if you don't know the specific file names.

C:\>attrib/?
Displays or changes file attributes.

ATTRIB [+R | -R] [+A | -A ] [+S | -S] [+H | -H] [[drive:] [path] filename]
       [/S [/D]]

  +   Sets an attribute.
  -   Clears an attribute.
  R   Read-only file attribute.
  A   Archive file attribute.
  S   System file attribute.
  H   Hidden file attribute.
  /S  Processes matching files in the current folder
      and all subfolders.
  /D  Processes folders as well.

Clear as mud eh?
Let us know what happens please.
If you have any problems let us know the full path to the directory & its name?

[flomtl]

o i meant folder.. the thing i cannot delete is not a file it is a folder. Im pretty sure its empty to. but i cant check. cause when i go to open the undeletable folder it tells me that theres not enough disk space to perform this command. and when i try to delete the folder i get the message i said befor.

so my undeletable file is actually a folder (or directory i guess). sorry about that, didn't realize they were that different.

Thanks so far guys!

[Broni]

I think, the issue is the drive itself, but we can't test it until you'll find out what tool to use, by making a phone call on Monday.
I bet $5 here.

[flomtl]

ok, ill give them a call when their open. and get back to you.

[Broni]

Make sure to post back. My $5 is at stake

[Fed]

Why wait?

If you have any problems let us know the full path to the directory & its name

[flomtl]

full path to directory:

H:\Florian\Backup\Pictures\NewJersey

(NewJersey being the folder that i cannot delete)

[Fed]

Open a CMD.EXE screen, copy & paste each line one at a time hitting <ENTER> as you do each one.
Hint, use right mouse button to paste into CMD screen.

attrib -R -A -S -H H:\Florian\Backup\Pictures\NewJersey\*.*

del H:\Florian\Backup\Pictures\NewJersey\*.*

rd H:\Florian\Backup\Pictures\NewJersey