Win2003 Cannot delete Con.xls 9 folders deep?

[murrayw]

I know its a resereved file and i have followed some guides but still cannot delete it - inc microsoft guide.

Can any one help?

 

[lhuegele]

Are you saying if it's 8 folders deep you can delete it? Are you trying to delete a file that is on a server or a workstation? Is the file the only thing in that folder? If so, have you tried removing the folder from the command prompt? Are you getting a specific error? If so, what is the error? Anything showing up in the log files?

 

[murrayw]

I have been able to delete everything in the folder but not the file con.xls.

I cannot rename file/folder or change any attributes on either - from either explorer or cmd prompt.

access is denied or file cannot be found messages??

tried file unlocker - no luck

 

[lhuegele]

Have you tried using the RD command from the command prompt with the /S variable? Are you sure the file isn't being held open by some user or process?

From a command prompt, try using the RD command:

Let's say your file is on c:\programs\other\files\others

The command to remove the last folder in the path would be

RD /S C:\programs\other\files\others

To see if someone has the file open, right-click on the MyComputer icon, then go to Manage. Then under "Shared Folders" you'll see "Shares, Sessions & Open Files". Double-check that no open files exist, but also double-check that there are no sessions either.

Have you tried rebooting the machine and then deleting the file?

 

[murrayw]

rebooted the server no joy

tried your command.

error: the system cannot find the file specified

just wont delete??

 

[itsp1965]

Is the file/folder path > than 255 characters? Try using the SUBST command from the command line to "map" the folder path to another drive
Ex)
SUBST X: folder\subfld1\sub2\sub3\....

Then go to drive X: and try to see if you can delete the file

 

[murrayw]

using the subst command do i spell out the full path

eg d:\etc\etc everything???

some of the folder names have spaces in them to

 

[itsp1965]

In that case use quotes when defining the drive
Ex) SUBST X: "fldr1\long named subfolder1\.."

 

[Knackster]

Don't forget trying in safe mode as well.

Chris
IT Manager
Houston, Texas

 

[bilbonvidia]

Is it not a permissions issue? Are you an admin, can you change permissions on the file, if not take ownership and add appropriate permissions so you can delete it?

 

[Cstorms]

Go one folder level above it, cut and paste onto desktop or somewhere, delete the file you want to delete, cut and paste back into original location... Try that.

Cory