[Geddoe]

I am having some strange problem with my recycle bin. When I try to empty it I get the message, "Cannot delete Dc574: It is being used by another person or program......." The problem is I have no other apps running. I have tried a restart, running in safe mode, scanning with norton/adAware, and using a program called 'Window Washer.'

Nothing works. Also, any files that are newly added to the recycle bin(new being AFTER the problem started) won't delete either, so I can't empty the recycle bin at all. 'Dc574' does not show up when I 'explore,' and I cannot find it with any sort of system search......Any help will be greatly appreciated....this is driving me insane.
Thanks,
Geddoe

[Tony]

Well if you call the Onyx or failing that Streetforce at the Council they should be able to make a special collection of the aforementioned rubbish for you. How many recyle bins do we need?


Sorry...

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be flakey old MS ActiveSync that wasn't closing down properly. Do you have a PDA linked to the PC?

[Geddoe]

nope. no PDA or anything hooked up to my comp.

[alchresearch]

There are quite often files and folders that get dumped in the recycle bin but will not delete because they are still being used.

You can either go into the "processes" (not applications) and see if IEXPLORE is still running, or download a trial of webroot's WINDOW WASHER which is a superior file deleting and clearing program.

[Geddoe]

I have already checked everything under the task manager, and used Window Washer. I have tried everything I can possibly think of, but this stupid file or whatever it is has apparently corrupted my recycle bin somehow.

Maybe a full system re-install would fix it.....I have everything backed up already, so I may try that if I can't find any other way.

[PENGUIN]

Files that reside in the bin are located within a hidden folder in the root of your system drive, its hidden so if you try to look for it within windows you will have to do the following: on a open windows, click the "tools" menu, then go down to "Folder options" then on the box that opens click the "view" TAB then under the "Hidden files and folders" line, click the "Show hidden files and folders" as default its set to do not show hidden files and folder. I doubt you will beable to delete it that way, but at least you know where to delete them from if you were to say boot from your XP cd and choose the recovery console option, this will let you access from a command line and delete them that way.

[LL200]

I had this very same problem. I'm afraid this solution isn't simple, but it worked for me.

Log on as an administrator.

Start a command prompt (start, programs, accessories, Command Prompt).

Type:

c:
cd\
cd RECYCLER
dir

You should then see some directories, named something like S-1-5-21-1935655697-602609370-725345543-1003. Then type:

cd [X]

where [X] is the directory name, eg:

cd S-1-5-21-1935655697-602609370-725345543-1003

If you have more than 1 of these directories, then you'll have to look in each of these. I'm guessing there'll be just 1.

Inside one of these directories, you should see the Dc574 directory. Therefore, type:

cd Dc574

Then, type:

attrib -H -S *.*
del *.*
cd ..
rmdir Dc574

Type 'y' if it asks if you are sure at any point. If you're interested, the 'attrib' line is simply saying remove the hidden and system attributes from the file. This will then allow you to delete them with del *.*

You should now find that your pesky non-deletable deleted file is deleted. Hopefully.

[Geddoe]

I already have my comp set to be able to see hidden files.

I started the command prompt as you said, L. I got to the C:\RECYCLER then I typed 'dir,' then it said,

"Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is *some serial number*
Directory of C:\RECYCLER
File Not Found"

I am unable to proceed from there....

[LL200]

Maybe they're hidden too. I was working from memory...

Instead of dir, type:

dir /ah

this will show hidden files.

If this doesn't work, do you have any more drives? D: E: etc?

[Geddoe]

ok.....i found 4 directories, and one of them has Dc574.img in it. I tried cd Dc574 like you said, but it replied w/"The system cannot find the path specified."

I then tried cd Dc574.img and it said, "The directory name is invalid."

Since the cd Dc574 thing did not work, how would I go about entering the attrib stuff?

Thanks for all the help. We seem to be making some progress.

[LL200]

ok, this implies that Dc574 in your case is a file, rather than a directory as it was in my case, so we can miss out a step or two.

Therefore, once you have gone into the directory with Dc574.img in it, at this stage do:

attrib -H -S *.*
del *.*

You should then be able to empty the recycle bin.

[Geddoe]

I entered:

attrib -H -S *.*

and it said, " 'attrib' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file."

[Geddoe]

OMG.....I figured it out....

The problem was being caused by a 'virtual' drive I created w/a program called 'Fantom CD.' I use it so I can play my games w/out having to have the CD in the disc drive. Once I basically "ejected" the 'CD' out of the virtual drive I could empty the recycyle bin.

I can't believe I did that.....makes me feel stupid. :p

Thanks for the help man...sorry if I caused you any sort of inconvience.

[LL200]

Glad you got it sorted. Sounds like a weird solution though...

Whats also weird is that you don't have the attrib command. You may find you have problems in the future as I'm thinking you probably don't have C:\WINDOWS\system32 in your path, which is where the attrib program lives.

Let me know if you would like me to tell you how to put it back. I think it would be a good idea... its quite simple.

[alchresearch]

I use Alcohol 120% for virtual CD / DVD drives, and never had a problem and can highly recommend it.

[Geddoe]

Ya.....I knew something was up when attrib was not working. I knew it was a proper command, and am fairly sure I have had to use it before. I checked the system32 folder, and attrib.exe is in there.

So, as you said, something must not be set right. I would greatly appreciate it if you would tell me how to fix it....I could probaly find it by myself eventually, but it would go a lot faster w/some help.

To Al, thanks for the tip.....I probaly check out that Alcohol 120%.

[LL200]

Make sure you are logged on as an administrator.

Start, settings, control panel, system, advanced tab, environment variables.

Then in System variables at the bottom, scroll to find Path. Click it, then click edit, add 'C:\WINDOWS\system32;' to the start of it (without the quotes, directories must be separated by a semi-colon). Click OK a few times.

The go a command prompt and test it

Glad to be of help.

[Geddoe]

WOOHOO! It works. Thanks a million man.