Deleting A Corrupt File Cannot delete a corrupt file on Windows XP...

	Deleting A Corrupt File - Cannot delete a corrupt file on Windows XP...
	Discussion by szupie with 37 Replies. Last Update: October 5, 2010, 12:34 am (View Latest)	Page 1 of 3 pages.

szupie

I was upgrading some software and came across a corrupt file that halted the installation process. I went to see what was wrong with the file, and failed to manually delete it. I tried moving (cut&paste) it to another location, and the installation succeeded. However, the file is still on my drive, taking up a KB of space. I know that's not a lot, but where am I supposed to put it? In a folder created especially for all the corrupt files on my computer?

I've heard something about using the chkdsk utility to fix the problem. However, I am not sure on how to use this tool. Microsoft's documentation didn't make it clear...

Thu Oct 19, 2006 Reply New Discussion

tommydanger

Use Unlocker:
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
It's an explorer extension.
It calls itself automatically whenever the deleting process failed.
It frees all the calls to the file, so you can delete it, but it does not work always (atleast for me)
You can also choose if you want to delete the file after a reboot.
But other than that its a pretty handy program

Thu Oct 19, 2006 Reply New Discussion

yordan

Booting on the Knoppix CD also helps.
You are under windows then, having less problems. You click on your Windows partition, choose mount, choose switch to write-enabled mode, go to your folder, choose your file and choose "delete". Probably the Linux file manager will have no problem deleting this corrupted file.
The only reason I see for being really definitively unable to delete the file would be a physical corrupted sector on the disk, then, only a disk format would be able to recover the error.
Regards
yordan

Thu Oct 19, 2006 Reply New Discussion

pyost

If my memory serves me well, I have had the same problem some time ago. I can't remember exactly what helped, but trying to delete it in DOS mode seems like a good idea. Also, you might want to try booting Windows in Safe Mode and then deleting the corrupted file.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 Reply New Discussion

yordan

QUOTE

've heard something about using the chkdsk utility to fix the problem. However, I am not sure on how to use this tool. Microsoft's documentation didn't make it clear...

By the way, yes, there is a way you can use it harmless.

Open a dos prompt window, and type "chkdsk c:" (or chkdsk d: depending if your file is on C: or D: or E:)
It will tell you "you did not provide the /f flag, I will only look without reparing".
No problem, let it look, and if it says "no errors", then chkdsk is not the solution.
If it finds a problem, run it again with the /f option, like this :
chkdsk d: /F

sometimes it's useful, sometimes not.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 Reply New Discussion

foolakadugie

Yeah I would probably just delete it from command prompt, but depending on what the file is you might have to go into safemode.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 Reply New Discussion

Kyro

If you are not confident with the command prompt or Linux, then you can try using GiPo@Utilities.
http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/index.htm
GiPo@Utilities has a number of small programes within it.
These include:
* GiPo@MoveOnBoot - copying/moving/renaming/deleting files and folders on the next system boot.
* GiPo@DirMonitor - monitoring changes in the file system.
* GiPo@Mount - local folders substitution and local/remote drives mounting.
* GiPo@Hardlink - UNIX-like (POSIX) hardlinks for NTFS creation.
* GiPo@ReadTest - checking files and folders for read errors.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 Reply New Discussion

FeedBacker

Thanx tommydanger 'Unlocker' did the job! Had this annoying avi that refused to budge in Safe Mode or via Command Prompt. Cheers.

-bigpaul

Tue Sep 25, 2007 Reply New Discussion

FeedBacker

How do you delete a corrupt AOL file, when it says to run chkdsk utility

-mike

Sat Dec 15, 2007 Reply New Discussion

FeedBacker

I tried everything in this thread, including Unlocker and GiPo@Utilities, but I still have the corrupted file that prevents CHKDSK from completing and won't allow me to make a backup image of my drive.

Any other suggestions?

Thank you in advance.

Tue Dec 18, 2007 Reply New Discussion

FeedBacker

Replying to yordan

Thank you. Using "chkdsk g: /F" enabled the deletion of a corrupt file on a flash drive.

Mon Jan 28, 2008 Reply New Discussion

FeedBacker

Deleting a corrupted file
Deleting A Corrupt File

I am certainly not the most computer savvy person, and I just deleted a corrupt file with the DOS command prompt as specified above. Using the chkdsk feature was so easy. Thanks a lot guys, saved me a lot of frustration. One google search and a little common sense, problem solved.

Thanks again.

Matt

-Matt

Wed Jan 16, 2008 Reply New Discussion

FeedBacker

Chkdsk in Command Prompt to delete corrupted files
Deleting A Corrupt File

Replying to yordan

Thanks. Chkdsk in command prompt with the F/ option worked like a dream for me.

-Harry

You're welcome, Harry, Nice to have been helpful.

Yordan

Thu Feb 7, 2008 Reply New Discussion