Mystery folder

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November 18th, 2003, 12:07 AM
John7714

If you have used FTP lately , you may want to look at this sight:

http://www.flexistentialist.org/arch..._sort_of.shtml

Hoppe you understand it more than I can

John
November 19th, 2003, 12:48 PM
P3-450

Ive been re-reading this thread to try and find something else you can try.

You have not mentioned if you have hidden files or not.

Go into TOOLS and OPTIONS and then select show all hidden files and folders.

Now go into this folder of yours and check to see if anything has come up.

Just another thought:)
November 19th, 2003, 01:09 PM
shiva_42

I don't mean to flog a dead horse here, but if you can just post a screen shot of what you see, most of the questions and uncertainties will be resolved.

I think that we can help you quickly, but I don't have any more ideas without a better picture of the situation. Please post a screen shot showing this file/folder.
November 19th, 2003, 02:40 PM
SMS Avenger

I've seen that before, try moving it to the recycle bin with the mouse.

possibly the system thinks it's a system folder

also run a check disk if you haven't already
November 19th, 2003, 07:59 PM
bojovan

Quote:

Originally posted by shiva_42
I don't mean to flog a dead horse here, but if you can just post a screen shot of what you see, most of the questions and uncertainties will be resolved.

I think that we can help you quickly, but I don't have any more ideas without a better picture of the situation. Please post a screen shot showing this file/folder.

If I understood how to do it I would, every time I try it fails.
November 19th, 2003, 08:07 PM
jdc2000

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Bob>dir /x /a
Volume in drive C is Kick Ass Drive
Volume Serial Number is F833-7C0A

Directory of C:\Documents and Settings\Bob

11/14/2003 09:53 AM <DIR> .
11/14/2003 09:53 AM <DIR> ..
09/19/2003 06:52 AM <DIR> APPLIC~1 Application Data
11/14/2003 09:53 AM <DIR> Cookies
11/13/2003 08:30 AM <DIR> Desktop
11/04/2003 06:49 AM <DIR> FAVORI~1 Favorites
10/19/2002 07:50 AM <DIR> LOCALS~1 Local Settings
11/13/2003 02:45 PM <DIR> MYDOCU~1 My Documents
08/11/2003 04:07 PM <DIR> NetHood
11/14/2003 09:12 AM 5,242,880 ntuser.dat
11/14/2003 09:58 AM 1,024 NTUSER~1.LOG NTUSER.DAT.LOG
11/13/2003 08:03 PM 280 ntuser.ini
10/19/2002 07:50 AM <DIR> PRINTH~1 PrintHood
11/14/2003 09:57 AM <DIR> Recent
09/05/2003 10:14 PM <DIR> SendTo
10/07/2003 07:04 AM <DIR> STARTM~1 Start Menu
10/19/2002 12:00 PM <DIR> TEMPLA~1 Templates
10/19/2002 12:23 PM <DIR> UserData
10/19/2002 10:33 PM <DIR> WINDOWS
11/12/2003 05:03 PM 207,473 ~
4 File(s) 5,451,657 bytes
16 Dir(s) 99,991,736,320 bytes free

C:\Documents and Settings\Bob>dir /x /a

If the above listing is for the directory where the folder/file is located, the item I noticed is the last file which has a tilde (~) for the name.
November 19th, 2003, 10:39 PM
Maxie

To make a screen shot, do the following:

Navigate to the window you want to take a shot of.

Hold down your Alt Key and press your Print Screen Key, absolutely nothing will appear to happen. (but it has pasted the image of the screen to the clipboard)

Open MS Paint

Select Edit, Select Paste

This will bring up a bitmap image of the window

Select File, Select Save As

use the drop down list in the save as box to save it as file type .JPG

Save it to a location you can find it.

Navigate to this thread, select post a reply, near the bottom of the reply box is a section that says

Attach file:
Maximum size: 1048576 bytes

Click the browse button next to the attach file text window.

Navigate in the Choose File window to where you saved the image of the window.

Highlight the file, select open

Click the reply button.

:cool:
November 19th, 2003, 11:31 PM
TE12

I think I found it!

Look at the last file on the list in JDC2000's post:

"11/12/2003 05:03 PM 207,473 ~
4 File(s) 5,451,657 bytes
16 Dir(s) 99,991,736,320 bytes free"

"11/12/2003 05:03 PM 207,473 ~"

Is that the 'folder' that you are seeing? If so, That 'folder' is actually a misnamed back up of your MS Outlook address book. There are several fixes on the forum for it.

Michael
November 20th, 2003, 04:02 AM
bojovan

1 Attachment(s)

This should be the image.
November 20th, 2003, 09:54 PM
Maxie

^Bump^
November 21st, 2003, 12:33 AM
TE12

I couldn't recreate that no matter what or how hard I tried.....

????
November 21st, 2003, 11:19 AM
dougj

Two thing to try to shed some more light on this:

1) From the same view you used in the screenshot, right-click the mystery folder and choose "Properties" form the menu. With the properties displayed, press ALT+PRTSCRN and post the results here.

2) Click Start, Run. Type "cmd" and press enter. If the screen comes up in a window, fine. If not (if it's full screen) press ATL+ENTER to force it to a window. In the window, type "cd\" end press enter. Now type "dir /ad /on /p" and press enter. (This will list just the directories on the root of C:, ordered by name, and will pause and the end of the first screen). Now press ALT+PRTSCRN to get a screen shot and post the results back here.
November 21st, 2003, 03:28 PM
bojovan

1 Attachment(s)

This should be the screen shot reguested. Hope it helps:)
November 21st, 2003, 03:36 PM
bojovan

1 Attachment(s)

Mystery folder "Properties" screenshot...
November 21st, 2003, 03:56 PM
SuperSparks

I think that this is just some remnants left in the Master File Table. Go to the Command Prompt and type "chkdsk /f" without the quotes, then restart the PC. That should sort out any orphaned file fragements and fix the MFT.
November 21st, 2003, 04:22 PM
dougj

{hanging head in shame}
OK, so its taken us how many post before someone suggested a simple chkdsk and/or scandisk? Good call, SuperSparks. Sometimes the obvious things slip right by. Can't wait to see bojovan's response.
November 21st, 2003, 11:06 PM
TE12

Thanks SuperSparks!
November 22nd, 2003, 12:17 AM
SMS Avenger

I would just like to graceiously point out that I had already suggested a chkdsk earlier, couldn't find the exact posting cause there's so many frickin postings in here

Penner is drunk

what does flog mean?
November 22nd, 2003, 07:00 AM
bojovan

Quote:

Originally posted by SuperSparks
I think that this is just some remnants left in the Master File Table. Go to the Command Prompt and type "chkdsk /f" without the quotes, then restart the PC. That should sort out any orphaned file fragements and fix the MFT.

Still there everyone:(
November 22nd, 2003, 10:42 AM
dougj

Quote:

Originally posted by SMS Avenger
I would just like to graceiously point out that I had already suggested a chkdsk earlier, couldn't find the exact posting cause there's so many frickin postings in here

Penner is drunk

what does flog mean?

Ooops! I had scanned the thread for "chkdsk", but missed the earlier post referring to "check disk". Proper credit due to SMS Avenger.

Since chkdsk didn't work, we're back to square one. I remeber back in the old days you could use an ALT+0255 to generate a character the looked like a space, but wasn't. It was a simple trick to keep people from removing/renaming files on a DOS system. I tried doing the same thing in command window from W2K and XP, but it doesn't work: it actually displays the character "ÿ". Perhaps this is a similar situation.

Whatever the specifics, it seems there's no way top remove it with the native OS loaded. So I'm thinking that if the drive is formatted with FAT32, he could boot from a Win98 floppy, then go to C: drive and possibly use deltree to get rid of it. Since the actual name is still a mystery, he'd have to do a "deltree *.*" at the root, then say NO to any files/folders that actually display a legitimate name, answering YES only the one that presents no name.

BOJOVAN: Please do not follow this suggestion right away! You could do some serious damage and lose data if it's done wrong. I'd appreciate any feedback on this suggestion from the others in the group. Perhaps there's a safer way to accomplish what I'm suggesting?
November 22nd, 2003, 07:35 PM
jdc2000

You might also be able to remove the folder using a program called Total Commander. It is avaulable from the following link:

http://www.ghisler.com/
November 22nd, 2003, 09:20 PM
XOR

I noticed the timestamp changed on the first screenshot and the second

posted 11/14
11/12/2003 05:03 PM

posted 11/21
11/16/2003 11:51 AM

Something is (re)creating this folder
Maybe it's time for a Hijack This log???

Download this and run next press Scan and save log.
Don't make any changes yet, post the log back here.
November 23rd, 2003, 11:38 AM
bojovan

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 10:31:27 AM, on 11/23/2003
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security Professional\NISUM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security Professional\ccPxySvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\NORTON~1\GHOSTS~2.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\SPEEDD~1\nopdb.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\STOPzilla!\szntsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Customizer XP\RAMIdle.exe
C:\Program Files\Visioneer OneTouch\OneTouchMon.exe
C:\Program Files\iHateSpam Outlook Express\iHateSpam Outlook Express Edition\piiserviceOE.exe
C:\Program Files\STOPzilla!\Stopzilla.exe
C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\SETI@home\[email protected]
C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\Aluria Software\DrSpeed\drspeed9x.exe
C:\Program Files\Webshots\WebshotsTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\DAP\DAP.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\Bob\LOCALS~1\Temp\Rar$EX00.064\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.excite.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {724d43a9-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboForm.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {E3215F20-3212-11D6-9F8B-00D0B743919D} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\StopzillaBHO.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {62999427-33FC-4baf-9C9C-BCE6BD127F08} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &RoboForm - {724d43a0-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboForm.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WorksFUD] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\wkfud.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RAM Idle] C:\Program Files\Customizer XP\RAMIdle.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OneTouch Monitor] C:\Program Files\Visioneer OneTouch\OneTouchMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [piiserviceOE] "C:\Program Files\iHateSpam Outlook Express\iHateSpam Outlook Express Edition\piiserviceOE.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [STOPzilla] C:\Program Files\STOPzilla!\Stopzilla.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VOBRegCheck] C:\WINDOWS\System32\VOBREGCheck.exe -CheckReg
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ElbyCheckElbyCDFL] "C:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\CloneCD\ElbyCheck.exe" /L ElbyCDFL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CloneDVDElbyDelay] "C:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\CloneDVD\ElbyCheck.exe" /L ElbyDelay
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccRegVfy] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccRegVfy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Advanced Tools Check] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~2\AdvTools\ADVCHK.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PPWebCap] C:\PROGRA~1\ScanSoft\PAPERP~1\PPWebCap.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NVMCTRAY.DLL,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [seticlient] C:\Program Files\SETI@home\[email protected] -min
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RoboForm] "C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe"
O4 - Startup: Webshots.lnk = C:\Program Files\Webshots\WebshotsTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Dr.Speed.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Quicken Scheduled Updates.lnk = C:\Program Files\Quicken\bagent.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download with &DAP - C:\PROGRA~1\DAP\dapextie.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Customize Menu &4 - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComCustomizeIEMenu.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download &all with DAP - C:\PROGRA~1\DAP\dapextie2.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Fill Forms &] - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Save Forms &[ - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Turbo Download! - file://C:\Program Files\Harris Digital Publishing\Turbo Surfer 3\dwtd.html
O9 - Extra button: Fill Forms (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Fill Forms &] (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Save (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Save Forms &[ (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: RoboForm (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: RF Toolbar &2 (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {0C568603-D79D-11D2-87A7-00C04FF158BB} (BrowseFolderPopup Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/Shared/MGBrwFld.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...irector/sw.cab
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/S...in/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - http://download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {597C45C2-2D39-11D5-8D53-0050048383FE} (OPUCatalog Class) - http://office.microsoft.com/productu...ntent/opuc.cab
O16 - DPF: {6B4788E2-BAE8-11D2-A1B4-00400512739B} (PWMediaSendControl Class) - http://216.249.24.143/code/PWActiveXImgCtl.CAB
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...581.1111226852
O16 - DPF: {A922B6AB-3B87-11D3-B3C2-0008C7DA6CB9} (InetDownload Class) - http://activex.microsoft.com/activex...oadcontrol.cab
O16 - DPF: {C2FCEF52-ACE9-11D3-BEBD-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec RuFSI Registry Information Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/S.../bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {D32C3BAD-5213-49BD-A7D5-E6DE6C0D8249} (CRAVOnline Object) - http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/ravonline.cab
O16 - DPF: {E855A2D4-987E-4F3B-A51C-64D10A7E2479} (EPSImageControl Class) - http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/activex...trol_v1-32.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{8F8681D4-CBE9-41C2-A1A4-B87DC9495AAE}: NameServer = 209.172.0.5 209.172.0.8
November 24th, 2003, 07:23 AM
bojovan

Anymore suggestions?
November 24th, 2003, 12:56 PM
XOR

No, your log looks fine, I couldn't detect anything wrong with it.

If the timestamp changes it could be part of a program your running.
Sorry, no ideas for now.
November 24th, 2003, 01:23 PM
P3-450

Sorry, cant see anything too.

Im sure no one has given up here.
November 24th, 2003, 01:29 PM
SMS Avenger

use partition magic and make a new partition on your harddrive, somehow copy the entire contents (except the mystery folder) of your regular partition to the newly created one (You could boot to a dos disk and do that if you have a fat file system, if not, I'm sure someone here knows another way.)

using partition magic delete the first partition, and expand the newly created partition to fill up the hard drive, then set that partition as active, reboot
November 24th, 2003, 03:48 PM
bojovan

Quote:

Originally posted by SMS Avenger
use partition magic and make a new partition on your harddrive, somehow copy the entire contents (except the mystery folder) of your regular partition to the newly created one (You could boot to a dos disk and do that if you have a fat file system, if not, I'm sure someone here knows another way.)

using partition magic delete the first partition, and expand the newly created partition to fill up the hard drive, then set that partition as active, reboot

I wouldn't have any idea how to copy everything over except the mystery folder. As it is I can not do anything with that folder!
November 25th, 2003, 01:04 PM
XOR

Bump
November 25th, 2003, 05:35 PM
Brily

Try this:

Goto Start - Run - cmd
type in "attrib C:\*.* -h -s -a" and hit enter (don't type in the quotes though)
After it is done and you have the blinking cursor, close the command prompt and try deleting the mysterious folder again.
November 25th, 2003, 05:42 PM
dougj

Brily's idea might work, but along with my idea to boot Win98 and do a deltree *.* (relying on the confirmation prompt to prevent accidently deleting important stuff), I think we're starting to tread on some thin ice here. We may be opening the doors to doing some serious harm, all for the sake of getting rid of this folder.

I think its time to ask bojovan how much of an issue this really is for him. If its more an annoyance than a real problem, it may be better to just live with it, rather than persue more and more drastic measures trying to get rid of it. (Always err on the side of caution, as me dear ol' Mum used to say!)

So, how 'bout it, bojovan. How much further do you want to go to get rid of this thing?
November 25th, 2003, 05:45 PM
Brily

I totally agree dougj, if it isn't broke I wouldn't worry about it bojovan, but if you really want to progress further please let us know :D
November 25th, 2003, 06:57 PM
bojovan

Ever since my retirement I have made my computer and associated things my hobby, I find it very challenging! Yes I want to continue to try and resolve this problem. I find in to be very annoying not to be able to fix something that should be able to be fixed. I appreciate every bit off help I have got and hope to get. I feel this helps to keep me sharp and on top of things! I have protected myself with a ghost backup of my system, without it I would have been out of business long ago...
November 25th, 2003, 07:05 PM
bojovan

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Bob>cd\

C:\>attrib C:\*.* -h -s -a
Unable to change attribute - C:\hiberfil.sys
Unable to change attribute - C:\pagefile.sys

C:\>

C:\>

C:\>
November 25th, 2003, 07:52 PM
XOR

One more try.
Go to start > run regedit and scroll to this key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace
Underneath there could be an unknown CLSID
Look in the right pane where they refer to. If you find one without a name or a name like "digital camera" or "synchronize", if you don't use it delete it.

But before you delete a key be sure to make an export of this key.
To do that highlight the key > file > export. Remember the path you export it to.
November 25th, 2003, 08:07 PM
XOR

GOT IT!!
I'm able to create folders without a name like you have.
To create one
run > cmd
type in cd \
type in md " \ "

To delete one
run > cmd
type in cd \
rd " \ "

Note the space between " and \
If this doesn't work you check your registry
November 26th, 2003, 06:41 AM
bojovan

Quote:

Originally posted by XOR
GOT IT!!
I'm able to create folders without a name like you have.
To create one
run > cmd
type in cd \
type in md " \ "

To delete one
run > cmd
type in cd \
rd " \ "

Note the space between " and \
If this doesn't work you check your registry

Didn't work for me. What do I look for in my registry? er:?
November 26th, 2003, 08:31 AM
dougj

Interesting... No answer yet, but I've got some more info that might hopefully trigger an idea in someone else.

Using XOR's method, I was able to create a folder that behaved the way bojovan describes. I was also able to delete it using the same method. The fact that it fails when bo tries to do rd " \ " leads me to believe there's either a different number of spaces before the \ or another, different reserved character being used on bo's system. Bo: try removing the folder with the using the rd " \ " command, adding one space at a time before the \. Let us know the results.

In the meantime, as a further test, I created a folder off the root called "test". Then in that folder, I ran md " \ " and got another copy of the "mytery" folder, complete with "cannot read from source file or disk" message when I try to rename or delete it.

Here's the interesting part: In the C:\test folder, I added a couple normal folders, called test1 and test2. A "dir" command showed the mystery folder and its 2 new companions. The I ran the "tree" command. What I should have gotten was this:

C:\.
|------
|------test1
|------test2

But instead, I got this:

Code:

C:\. |------ | |------ | |------test1 | |------test2 |------test1 |------test2

So it's no wonder Windows is confused. The mystery folder looks like its a subfolder of itself, sorta like a cross-linked file, but at the directory level. And sure enough, when I create one of the mystery folders out at the root, then do a tree, I end up with a nested listing like my test folder: I see all the top-level folders listed under the mystery folder, then again off the root.

I'm trying to find any other characters that would result in a "blank" directory name.
November 26th, 2003, 08:41 AM
dougj

The number of spaces does matter. I just created 10 new no-name folders, all with different numbers of spaces before the \. From command prompt, with the dir command, they all look the same. But from Explorer, you can tell the relative length of the folder name, even though no charaters are displayed.

Bojovan, can you post another screen show (you're getting lots of practice with these!). Do the same shot you originally posted as "mystery.jpg", showing the Explorer view. But this time, single click the mystery folder first, so the name is highlighted in blue. This will give you a general idea of how many spaces are in the name. Then you should be able to go out to a cmd prompt and use XOR's method to remove the folder.

Keep us posted. I think the end is in sight!
November 26th, 2003, 03:28 PM
XOR

Quote:

Originally posted by bojovan
Didn't work for me. What do I look for in my registry? er:?

bojovan,
you should first try to get rid of it in a dosbox using rd " \ "
If you go to start > run > cmd it will set you to c:\documents and settings\bob. If the offending folder is in c:\ you should type cd\ or perhaps rd \" \ "

In my previous post I mentioned some registry keys which could be causing this.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace.
Under that key could be some entries, for example:
{992CFFA0-F557-101A-88EC-00DD010CCC48} (Dial up Networking)
{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} (Task Scheduler)
Look for any other keys like these CLSID keys that you're sure of you don't use
Export the key before you delete it, just in case.
(Select (highlight) the key (on the left pane) > file > export)

Quote:

Originally posted by dougj
Bojovan, can you post another screen show (you're getting lots of practice with these!). Do the same shot you originally posted as "mystery.jpg", showing the Explorer view. But this time, single click the mystery folder first, so the name is highlighted in blue. This will give you a general idea of how many spaces are in the name..

It's probably easier to make a shortcut to that folder and copy/paste the target here.

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