Windows Vista Cant delete folder, cant name folder "con"

[jmclaren7]

so i think this is the first thing on vista to truly stump me....

First Issue: 2 folders named "con" in sepperate sub directories of the
same top level directory can not be deleted, saying that "This folder is
no longer located in <blah dir>. Verify the items location and try
again.", the parrent folder of "con" can also not be deleted, displaying
the same error.

Second Issue: I cannot create a folder with the name "con" anyplace on
my system, giving this message: "The specified device name is invalid"


These folders originaly did not exist on the system, they were created
when i downloaded part of a web directory via ftp using the program
FlashFXP.

when i view these folders properties page i see a lack of dates and
security permisions



ive seen alot of talk about issues related to folder deletion on this
forum but nothing like this, any idea?

thank you!


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[Michael Walraven]

Re: Cant delete folder, cant name folder "con"

Second issue:
'con' is a reserved system word, stands for the 'console' device. As such
you cannot have a folder or file named 'con'.

Now as to how you got such a folder , and what you can do about that --
sorry I haven't a clue.

Michael



"jmclaren7" <jmclaren7.3g9djb@DoNotSpam.com> wrote in message
news:jmclaren7.3g9djb@DoNotSpam.com...
>
> so i think this is the first thing on vista to truly stump me....
>
> First Issue: 2 folders named "con" in sepperate sub directories of the
> same top level directory can not be deleted, saying that "This folder is
> no longer located in <blah dir>. Verify the items location and try
> again.", the parrent folder of "con" can also not be deleted, displaying
> the same error.
>
> Second Issue: I cannot create a folder with the name "con" anyplace on
> my system, giving this message: "The specified device name is invalid"
>
>
> These folders originaly did not exist on the system, they were created
> when i downloaded part of a web directory via ftp using the program
> FlashFXP.
>
> when i view these folders properties page i see a lack of dates and
> security permisions
>
>
>
> ive seen alot of talk about issues related to folder deletion on this
> forum but nothing like this, any idea?
>
> thank you!
>
>
> --
> jmclaren7
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> jmclaren7's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/jmclaren7.htm
> View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/vista-help/1043817.htm
>
> http://forums.techarena.in
>

 

[DanS]

Re: Cant delete folder, cant name folder "con"

jmclaren7 <jmclaren7.3g9djb@DoNotSpam.com> wrote in
news:jmclaren7.3g9djb@DoNotSpam.com:

>
> so i think this is the first thing on vista to truly stump me....
>
> First Issue: 2 folders named "con" in sepperate sub directories of the
> same top level directory can not be deleted, saying that "This folder
is
> no longer located in <blah dir>. Verify the items location and try
> again.", the parrent folder of "con" can also not be deleted,
displaying
> the same error.
>
> Second Issue: I cannot create a folder with the name "con" anyplace on
> my system, giving this message: "The specified device name is invalid"
>
>
> These folders originaly did not exist on the system, they were created
> when i downloaded part of a web directory via ftp using the program
> FlashFXP.
>
> when i view these folders properties page i see a lack of dates and
> security permisions
>
>
>
> ive seen alot of talk about issues related to folder deletion on this
> forum but nothing like this, any idea?
>
> thank you!

Open a cmd prompt.
CD to the 'con' directory's ("folder's") parent directory
isues a: dir /x
Look for the 'con' folder to the far right.
See if it has an 8.3 name in the second column from the right.
use: rd using the folder con's 8.3 name...if it has one.

This used to work in XP for malformed file/folder names. I have no idea
if it still works in Vista...haven't had to do it.

 

[jmclaren7]

Re: Cant delete folder, cant name folder "con"


the folder just showed up as 'con'

"The system cannot find the file specified."

i got the file onto my system using FlashFXP, i created the file on the
server (linux) and then transfered it using flashfxp

i cant belive that all happend by chance


so my guess is that i have to use a live cd and mount my ntfs drive and
the delete the folder


i think ill go cry now, because last time i tried mounting a ntfs drive
i couldnt get it to work.


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[DanS]

Re: Cant delete folder, cant name folder "con"

jmclaren7 <jmclaren7.3g9onb@DoNotSpam.com> wrote in
news:jmclaren7.3g9onb@DoNotSpam.com:

> the folder just showed up as 'con'
>
> "The system cannot find the file specified."
>
> i got the file onto my system using FlashFXP, i created the file on the
> server (linux) and then transfered it using flashfxp
>
> i cant belive that all happend by chance
>
>
> so my guess is that i have to use a live cd and mount my ntfs drive and
> the delete the folder
>
>
> i think ill go cry now, because last time i tried mounting a ntfs drive
> i couldnt get it to work.

No 8.3 name showed ? That sucks.

If you use Ubuntu (with GNome desktop, not Kubuntu or Xbuntu) the
'Places' menu has a selection 'Connect to Server', which you can use to
connect to the shared drive....if that selection is active from the
LiveCD that is.

 

[jmclaren7]

Re: Cant delete folder, cant name folder "con"


hmm, thanks for the tip... i actualy JUST figured this out... using the
following method worked, and i have no idea what \\. means, but
whatev...

rd \\.c:\blablabla\con

if anyone knows what \\. does to a path id love to know


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[Synapse Syndrome]

Re: Cant delete folder, cant name folder "con"

jmclaren7 <jmclaren7.3g9u7b@DoNotSpam.com> wrote:
>
>
> hmm, thanks for the tip... i actualy JUST figured this out... using the
> following method worked, and i have no idea what \\. means, but
> whatev...
>
> rd \\.c:\blablabla\con
>
> if anyone knows what \\. does to a path id love to know


I have no idea why that would have worked for you, as the command does not
make any sense. \\ would be the start of a UNC path, and the period (.)
would signify the current directory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNC_path#Uniform_Naming_Convention

ss.