Deleting Files In DOS

[Rogo]

A friend of mine is running XP...

But for some reason he cannot delete ANY files on his computer... even after formatting it a few times he cannot... and he is the mian (admin) account holder.

Anywya i told him he can delete files through DOS

using the

rmdir c:\*path* /s

command

can someone please tell me how to get into DOS in XP as i dont use it

Thanks

[John Veteran]

XP doesn't use DOS. NT (what XP is based on) doesn't use DOS.

He formatted a few times and the files are still there? :huh: I don't believe that...

Moved to Windows Client

[Rogo]

No sorry... he has formatted a few times... and he is still unable to delete files... his computer is clean... but then new files he gets... he is unable to delete

Is there anyway to delete em?

[John Veteran]

What files are they?

[Rogo]

EVERY file... he cant delete a thing

from a .doc to a .mp3

[DevilsJim89]

hmm...hes reformatted over and over and it still doesn't work? strange...

you can get to DOS in XP by clickin START -> RUN -> cmd -> click OK

or if its FAT32, use a bootdisk

maybe this is his problem...

http://www.computerhope.com/lockhlp.htm#01

[Daniel Oskarsson]

If you give us the error message that Windows Explorer give when trying to remove the files we might be able to help you.

Edited November 24, 2004 by n3Mo

[Rogo]

cannot delete "file" file: cannot find specified path

[Rogo]

Oh and thanks Devils Jim... it worked :D... that artivle didnt work though.. wasnt for XP :(

[Daniel Oskarsson]

Might be because some of the files in the folder has a path longer than 256 chars. There are a few things you can do.

1. Try to flatten down the structure and try again.

2. Do a search for all files and folders (standing in the folder) hidden and system files included and delete only a bunch of files at a time (from the result list)

3. Try: http://helpdesk.kixtart.org/KixUtilsTasks.asp

Solved. Ok! :happy:

[Renshaw]

start in safe mode then delete......................................on start up press F8

[hornett]

Hmm that is odd. How about running a command prompt (just click run on the start menu) then navigating to the folder containing the file you want to delete then deleting it from there?

[evo0o]

Very strange. Can we have some screenshots?

[Rogo]

Sure the screen shots are below...

Could it be something to do with the fact hes runing Norton 2004?