Cannot Delete 0 length file

[mistervnv3k]

Hello,

In WIN XP when I try to delete a zero length file that I am sure somehow was created when I tried to open a power point video and no pp software I get:

Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disk

 

[PhilFrisbie]

That sounds like your filesystem is corrupted. To fix it, assuming your boot drive is c:\

Open up a command prompt.
Type chkdsk c: /f
Say yes when is asks if you want to schedule a scan at the next boot.
Reboot.

 

[mistervnv3k]

Thank you. It did not help.

 

[PhilFrisbie]

Is that file on your C Drive, or another drive? If another drive, perform the chkdsk command on the drive letter where the file is.

 

[mistervnv3k]

Thank you for trying to help. The file is in the C drive. I know how it was created. A cousin had sent me an email with an attachment which was a powerpoint file. I did not know that. I saved it and tried to open it but I did not have the software i.e. the powerpoint. A bunch of files were created all meaningless to me. I deleted them all but this one the zero length one remained. Nothing seems to help and I don't want to format the disk and reload windows at this time.

 

[ciuffobiondo]

I've got the same problem: from 2011 the 0kb lenght file is on my desktop! Nothing seems to be able to delete it.

 

[kenrivers]

The file may be set as a "Read-only" file which makes it difficult but not impossible to delete.
If you can see the file in Windows Explorer try this:
Right click on the file
Click on Properties
If there is a check beside "Read-only" remove the check by clicking in the box beside "Read-only".
Then delete the file.

To change the "Read-only" attribute from a command prompt do the following:
Navigate (go to) the directory that contains the file.
type "attrib -r [file name]" without the quotation marks or brackets. Remember to include the file extension in the file name (example: test1.ppt where test1 is the file name and .ppt is the file extension).
To delete the file from a command prompt type "del [filename]" without the quotation marks or brackets.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/attrib.mspx?mfr=true
http://www.computerhope.com/delhlp.htm