[michaeltee]

When I attempt to empty the XP (Home edition, SP2) recycle bin I get the following error: "Are you sure you want to delete 'WINDOWS'?". If I click YES, another error message appears: "Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disc". Apparently this "WINDOWS" file is invisible as it cannot actually be seen in the bin. Any other files in the bin are properly deleted. I'm sure I don't have any virus or malware problems. Any suggestions?

TIA,
-Mike

[lotuseclat79]

Can you restore the item in the recycle bin you want to delete? If so, go ahead and restore it. Then download/install/execute: simple file shredder from here:
http://www.scar5.com

You should be able to delete the file by dragging and dropping it into the shredder window. Use the DoD method.

-- Tom

P.S. We are not talking about the Windows OS here - are we? If so, don't delete.

[michaeltee]

Originally Posted by lotuseclat79

Can you restore the item in the recycle bin you want to delete? If so, go ahead and restore it. Then download/install/execute: simple file shredder from here:
http://www.scar5.com

You should be able to delete the file by dragging and dropping it into the shredder window. Use the DoD method.

-- Tom

P.S. We are not talking about the Windows OS here - are we? If so, don't delete.

Well, the file that needs to be deleted ('WINDOWS') cannot be seen and therefore cannot be dragged. In other words, even though the recycle bin "appears" to be empty, this invisible file remains. The file is not the OS although it's name certainly implies that. I have absolutely no clue where it came from or what it represents.

[Monkey106]

I've had this happen to me many times before. A simple windows restart fixed it.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Mike,

Given that it appears to be a hidden file, do you have "Show hidden files and folders" checked when you View Folder Options from a My Computer window? Just use the Tools pull-down menu to select Folder Options, then select Vew tab.

-- Tom

[michaeltee]

Thanks for the suggestions. Actually this has been going on for a quite a while and I've already tried showing the hidden files, rebooting, etc.

Regardless, the recycle bin appears to be empty. Over time I've done some searching on the web and discoved a few postings from users who have encounted this exact problem (even the part about the mystery file being named WINDOWS). Unfortunately I haven't stumbled upon a solution. Any additional ideas are most welcome :-)

-Mike

[Rollin' Rog]

Run chkdsk /f on the drive -- that usually fixes it. It's a corrupt recycle bin directory that causes that.

[michaeltee]

Originally Posted by Rollin' Rog

Run chkdsk /f on the drive -- that usually fixes it. It's a corrupt recycle bin directory that causes that.

Good suggestion but the stubborn file remains after running chkdsk w/repair.

[Rollin' Rog]

Try this then: Go to Start > run: enter cmd

At the cmd prompt enter:

rd /s c:\recycler

Then reboot and save a file to the bin. You may get an error message -- but the command usually works anyway.

If you are using a FAT32 file system, make the command

rd /s c:\recycled


instead.

[michaeltee]

No problem running the command and following the procedure you mentioned but it didn't help. Tough to solve! I'm thinking I might have to live with it until the next time I reinstall XP.

[Rollin' Rog]

I don't think a reinstall would fix that unless it were a clean one.

I've never really seen the issue go unresolved by one or the other of the things I've mentioned.

You might want to try performing both procedures (chkdsk /r and rd /s c:\recycler) outside of Windows. I'm not sure if the last will run due to path restrictions but it's worth a try.

By outside of Windows, I mean from the Recovery Console -- easy if you have an XP CD, but more difficult if you don't.

The path restriction can be overcome but it requires a registry tweak and then another command once you are in the RC.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...EN-US;Q307654&

[michaeltee]

Just to make sure I performed the previous procedure correctly...

I entered the command as described and selected "Y" (yes) and the command was accepted. I then rebooted, deleted a few files and emptied the recycle bin. Did I get that right?

Also, I have attached screen shots of the error messages. The first (error_1) is the message I always get when attempting to empty the bin. After I click "OK", the bin usually empties itself properly. However, sometimes a file or two will remain. If I then re-attempt to empty the bin I get error_1 followed by error_2, after which the remaining files are deleted (except of course the invisible 'WINDOWS' file).

[Rollin' Rog]

Do you have multiple drives, and if so, on the Recycle Bin properties is the configuration one for all drives or separately?

It sounds like you entered the command successfully. If no error message, then it should do what is expected.

[michaeltee]

Originally Posted by Rollin' Rog

Do you have multiple drives, and if so, on the Recycle Bin properties is the configuration one for all drives or separately?

It sounds like you entered the command successfully. If no error message, then it should do what is expected.

I have one internal HDD partitioned "C" and "D" plus 3 external HDD via USB2. Same setting (max size 10%) applies to all.

[Rollin' Rog]

I don't have the ability to experiment with that setting since all my computers are just single drive affairs.

But you might try configuring the recycle bin separately for each drive and see if it behaves any differently.