http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480 Giveaway of the Day Forums » Topic: Can Not Delete 'Giveaway' etc on My Computer en-US Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:18:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57947 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:31:04 +0000 Terri218 57947@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Senior that's hysterical. You remind me of me. I don't know how old you are, but you give me hope that I can remain active and seeking knowledge for many years to come. Besides once you start checking this forum, you get addicted because the people are so nice. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57942 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:14:53 +0000 SeniorCitizen 57942@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Goodness gracious. Got so used to coming to this site hourly to check for repair suggestions I forgot my problem's fixed. So now I'll happily allow all to tease me. As for what watcher wrote, "knowledge is power", I agree. Add to that "Knowledge - you can take it with you wherever you go". Just looked at my profile and I had written back in Nov 2007 for hobbies "Learning". It remains the same. </p> <p>To watcher13, Whiterabbit, aRenegade, Dragonlair, who gave me fix suggestions -- THANKX!<br /> To all who shared their similar experiences, thankx.</p> <p>I did as a few suggested and sent the developer a thank you note, and provided him with the link to this forum, and told them about Giveaway of the Day. (Geeeeze, I'm getting so good my head's going to explode!) What a task. They did not provide an email address so I wrote my "Thank you" on an order form for ordering a mass number of copies of their software. </p> <p>You will all remain in my daily good wish prayers. Well, at least until I forget what my problem was and all your names. Wait ... you will all see what it's like to get old and have a memory problem. It's tolerable now because I laugh at it and live with it. Remember, "Knowledge -- you can take it with you wherever you go" (until you forget). Linda </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57937 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:39:14 +0000 watcher13 57937@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>You know what they say, Dragon, "knowledge is power". Hopefully, it won't be powerful enough to explode Linda's head. :) </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57936 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:24:27 +0000 Dragonlair 57936@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Congratulations, Linda.</p> <p>I'm glad your frustration level is diminished!</p> <p>I agree with the others. They allow you to use it for 15 times. They have to expect you to get some use out of it for those 15 times. If you do not expect to use it again, then there is no need for you to purchase it.</p> <p>A thank you note would probably be appreciated with (as Watcher13 said) some info about your situation and system.</p> <p>I'm glad you were able to find something that worked! You also learned quite a bit about your PC in the process even if you hope NEVER to have to use any of it! </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57929 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:53:12 +0000 watcher13 57929@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Yeah, there's no ethical problem, here. As you may be aware, some shareware is disabled. You could say it's set up so that it CAN'T help you any. If it's not disabled, the developer is aware that you might get some benefit out of the demo and hopes you'll think it's a keeper and buy it because you might need it on a regular basis. Thanks for the link. Hadn't heard of that one. So you helped some of us! </p> <p>Nothing wrong with a thank you note. At least the developer knows it worked for you. You might want to include the file info. and your OS. It might give the developer some useful information. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57926 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:20:41 +0000 GMMan, A+, Game Modder 57926@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Well, it's a shareware. It's the same thing as try before you buy. If it helped you, great, but since you won't need it anymore, buying it is just a waste of money. You can uninstall it and not have any obligations to buy. You can send a thank-you note if you'd like. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57925 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:14:14 +0000 SeniorCitizen 57925@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Problem Solved .</p> <p>Did it -- got rid of those 2 irritating files in my Temp folder! Downloaded and installed DelinvFile - Delete Invalid Files &#38; Folders. I got it from: <a href="http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/dldelinv.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/dldelinv.htm</a> </p> <p>Now I have yet another question. I am using a computer for many years and this is the first time this type of problem ever happened to me. The software I used was shareware. You can use it 15 times and then must buy it. I do not wish to keep it. Am I supposed to now pay them because the software helped me? Or would a thank you note be sufficient? </p> <p>Now everyone knows a simple way to delete stubborn files. Linda </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57892 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:59:09 +0000 SeniorCitizen 57892@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Continue searching for solution to delete problem, as well as trying different things, and returning here to see if there are anymore ideas. </p> <p>To Whiterabbit-uk -- I write this without joking. Felt honored with your response. I have read, and learned from, so many of your posts here! And though your suggestion is do-able, it will be time-consuming and I'm bound to mess up something ELSE! I will save it as a last resort. ... For info purposes, EVERYTHING on my computer has been either burned onto a CD-ROM (I call this a silver record) or it is on a floppy disk. And then I print out what is on the disk using "Karen's Directory Print", a free program that I use often to show what I've saved to a record. </p> <p>I do have a question, however. You wrote "If you have any programs that enable you to back up your drivers I'd use it." From Giveawy I got "Win Utilities" that has a Registry Backup feature. And though I use it, I do not really understand it (backing up Registry). Anyway ... If I DO backup my whole computer with Win Utilities, and then re-intall everything (including Windows 2000 Pro) won't I lose the backup? Or should I locate where the backup is and burn it onto a CD? </p> <p>Thank you in advance, Whiterabbit, and everyone else who has tried to help me. Back to trying solving my delete problem. -- Linda </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57885 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:07:37 +0000 Whiterabbit-uk 57885@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p><strong>If all else fails</strong> (<em>and you really do find these files annoying to the extreme</em>) I'd back up all of your programs (that you want to keep) and create an image of the registry (so that you don't lose your registration details for all the programs you have), then format your disk (or partition if you've created multiple drives on the one disc. I know that that is an aggressive way to cure the problem, but sometimes it's the only way. Good thing about cleaning your hard drive like that; it gets rid of everything that you don't need and is the best way of speeding up your computer (IMO)</p> <p>If you have any programs that enable you to back up your drivers I'd use it. We've been given some useful tools over the past few years that can help with this process. Many of the games that have been given away are free standing, so these could be saved to disc and then re-installed (manually) once you've completed your format. If you're going to place the folders in the same place as they werew originally then you could also copy the short cuts, though creating shortcuts is an easy enough matter - I've posted a simple tutorial in the games discussion forums on how to create shortcuts for both the desktop and from the start menu.</p> <p>Please do ask for specific advice if you need it; there's loads of community members only too willing to help here. :) </p> <p>regards</p> <p>Whiterabbit </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57881 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:07:38 +0000 SeniorCitizen 57881@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Yesterday downloaded &#38; installed "Unlocker 1.8.7" (hope I got #s right).Computer froze. Shut down, re-botted. Tried using it again. Computer froze. So downloaded and installed earlier version of Unlocker 1.8.6. Not only would it not open up, my computer froze again. So I clicked Ctrl-Alt-Delete. Popup appears. I click "end program" (whatever). Then puter went nuts! Clicked whatever, more popups! Could not get out of this mess I created, so hit the button on the computer tower and shut it down. Turned puter back on and deleted both Unlocker versions. Whew! This little project took me 2 hours.</p> <p>Dragonlair wrote "If you cannot rename the file, try DOS (aka "Command Prompt" now)." I did not know what "Command Prompt" meant, but I figured out how to get into DOS. I typed many different keys and got no where. But then I DID see the long file names! Tried to copy the whole name, but could not. I am clueless what I did and besides, do not remember. Too frustrated to take notes. Oh, delete key does not work when I'm at DOS. Also, tried hitting "F2" when at the LONG file; nothing happened.</p> <p>My computer does not have a virus, Trojan or any of that stuff as far as I can see. Searched Google and it seems many people have had a similar problem. As mentioned earlier, this file was created on 05/12/09, day I downloaded and installed MultiSet 6.5 from Giveaway. I erred (I think) because MultiSet was for XP and I have 2000 Professional. MultiSet had been removed the day I tried to install it back in May.</p> <p>Watcher 13, I can not open the properties box. "The properties of this item are not available" is what I get. Tried to use the "Send To" button, to no avail. Tried to delete the entire "Temp" folder, to no avail. </p> <p>These 2 files are probably doing me no harm, but I just don't want them. Oh, I use ccleaner daily, use Win Utilities (luv these programs!) and then some. The words in the long files show up NO WHERE. It's like they don't exist except in the Documents and Settings file, Local Settings, Temp file. Am not going to give up! -- Linda from New York </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57879 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:43:48 +0000 hotdoge3 57879@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Try unlocker fist it all will tell you the name of the program that stop you &#38; kill Box may work.http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/index.htm<br /> Some windows functions allow creation of folder paths such that the combined path + filename lengths exceed the maximum permitted length. The current limit is 260 characters. In other words, windows can create names that are too long for the standard Windows Explorer to delete.<br /> DelinvFile was converted to Shareware with a 15 day free Trial. Note that all functions are available during the trial period. I don't know if good or not. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57872 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:42:52 +0000 aRenegade 57872@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Well I Guess It's Time To Pull Out The Big Guns; Two Programs That Delete The Undeletable</p> <p>"Remove on Reboot Shell Extension" - This is a nice extension that loads into the right click menu. All you have to do is right-click on a file and choose "Remove on Next Reboot" and the file will be deleted the next time the computer restarts. Although it probably should only be used by more advanced computer users since it may be TOO easy to delete files using this program.</p> <p><a href="http://www.snapfiles.com/get/removereboot.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.snapfiles.com/get/removereboot.html</a></p> <p>"Unlocker" - A program that runs from the right click menu. Its simple and very effective. The website even has a side by side comparison of other programs that accomplish this task.</p> <p><a href="http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/" rel="nofollow">http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/</a></p> <p>Using one of the programs above you should be able to remove those annoying files once and for all! Caution Is Advised, Be Careful What You Ask For...lol </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57820 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:13:58 +0000 Dragonlair 57820@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>If you cannot rename the file, try DOS (aka "Command Prompt" now).</p> <p>It may let you do it. You will have to "traverse" manually through the folders from the root level. If you're not familiar with DOS, what you need (not case sensitive):</p> <p>To get to the root level: CD C:\<br /> To go down each level: CD folder-name<br /> If the folder name is more than 8 characters or has spaces in it, put it in double quotes.<br /> When you get to the correct folder: DIR /X<br /> You should see an 8 character version of the offending file names!<br /> To delete the files: DEL short-file-name</p> <p>This way you don't have as much of a chance of a typo with the long name since copy/paste doesn't work in this environment.</p> <p>This may not work either but it's worth a try. The ONE time I ever got hit with a virus, I was able to boot into DOS to get rid of the file (from floppy). </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57814 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:13:45 +0000 SeniorCitizen 57814@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Good morning, everyone. Thank you for your replies to my problem. Have printed all replies and will try to solve my "delete" problem with your help.</p> <p>In reply to some points made:<br /> 1) When I right click and go to properties it reads "The properties of this item are not available."<br /> 2) Neither of the 2 files can be re-named, nor deleted. And they can NOT be edited, printed, "send to" anywhere else, cut, copied, etc.<br /> 3) I use Windows 2000 Professional; even when I do a computer "search" with the file words the name does not appear in my search.<br /> 4) I have searched the Registry for the words, to no avail.<br /> 5) Giveaway of the Day gave away "MultiSet 6.5" on 05/12/09. That is date of these 2 files. I have searched my computer for everything that I did on said date and other than my daily first computer chore of checking out GAOTD I only read the local newspaper and wrote one letter.<br /> 6)I have even tried to delete my entire TEMP folder, to no avail. The whole thing seems to be "frozen".<br /> 7) I am the only person who uses my computer. So if anyone messed it up, it's me. Greymore never learned to type. He was my old cat, who died on Monday. Am trying to look on bright side. This computer problem is keeping my mind occupied.</p> <p>To Renagde -- Thank you for your "simplistic" instruction. I will try your suggestion immediately.<br /> To Watcher -- I will check out ccollomb.free<br /> To All Others -- I will re-read the entire thread and try all suggestions. </p> <p>You will all be in my blessings today. Have a nice weekend! -- Linda </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57801 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:18:37 +0000 watcher13 57801@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Thanks, Dragon, but I don't think anybody said that she couldn't rename it. We haven't heard back from her, so we don't know if she's seen any of this, or tried any of this, yet. Appreciate your input, though. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57784 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:25:49 +0000 Dragonlair 57784@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I would think there would be a chance to rename the file even if the properties box won't open. All you have to do is click on the file and hit F2! Maybe that's all that's needed to get at the properties as well. I've seen some funky names that some parts of Windows (any level) may have trouble with. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57782 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:47:33 +0000 watcher13 57782@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>The only problem Renegade, if I'm reading Linda right, is she can't get the properties box to open, which would suggest to me either funky behavior from whatever installed the files or corruption. Other than that, I'd agree 100%. It's excellent advice, and if she can get the properties box to open, it's where I'd start. Although, if she can get the properties box to open on the higher folders, she probably hasn't tried that yet, she might be able to get around that. Of course, she might just be able to delete those higher folders outright, as long as she's careful of what folder she's deleting.</p> <p>Also, since it's a long name, Pavid's advice might be right on top of it, and renaming might fix it. If it's over 256 characters, that might even be why she can't open the properties, and renaming might fix that, too. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57781 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:33:42 +0000 aRenegade 57781@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Hello SeniorCitizen - Files and folders have property sheets, which display information such as size, location, attribute, and the date the file or folder was created. Check the “Attributes” of the folder that contains the file that’s giving you grief. It may be set as “Read-Only” in which case you wouldn’t be able to get rid of it. However, you may be able to remove its “Read-only” attribute.</p> <p>First of all, you’ll need Administrator rights. In Windows Explorer (or whatever File Manager program you’re using) Right-click on the folder in question then select “Properties” (it will be at the bottom of the right-click menu). The Properties sheet will open; there are three tabs on that sheet, General, Sharing, and Customize. You want the information under the “General” tab. You’ll see at the bottom of that window the word Attributes and two check boxes “Read-only” and “Hidden”. The Read-only box should be cleared. If it’s not then you’ll see a little green square in the check box. Click in the check box to clear the green square; the “Apply” button will appear. Click on “Apply”. Then go back and try to delete that file. Keep in mind that in Windows files and folders have a hierarchal structure, so if you still can’t delete that file, go back and recheck the Properties again to see if the green box you just cleared from the Read-only checkbox is back. If it is then you’ll need to check the attribute of the next higher folder level then try again. (Example: Documents and Settings folder &gt; A whatever folder &gt; My Documents folder &gt; File you want to delete)</p> <p>My apologies if I’m being way to simplistic, I mean no disrespect but since I don’t know how savvy you are I’m just trying to play it safe. I hope this helps. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57775 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:52:05 +0000 watcher13 57775@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Yeah, GM, I didn't think of having Linda delete the folder. Although, if it's just Documents and Settings\Temp it might be good to keep that one. If it's a Temp in a Multi-Set folder, Linda, and you're not using Multi-Set, delete the whole Multi-Set folder. It shouldn't be there anyway.</p> <p>Also, Linda, I've seen the exact problem that Pavid described. If it's a real long name, I'd take his advice and try to rename it. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57772 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:38:26 +0000 GMMan, A+, Game Modder 57772@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>A somewhat similar problem I had with one of my computers was that a folder didn't allow me access, even if I logged on as SYSTEM. I booted Linux and mounted the drive, looked for that folder, and it wasn't there. Must have been a incorrectly written entry to the NTFS file table. Solution: since I didn't need that folder's parent anyways, I deleted the parent folder. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57771 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:33:35 +0000 Whiterabbit-uk 57771@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>lol pavid. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57766 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:34:48 +0000 pavid 57766@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I ran into a similar situation a couple of weeks ago. It turned out to be that the file path + file name exceeded the permitted size of 256. Because of this, I could not delete the temp folder or the temp files. I could however, rename the files which I did. I renamed the files f...off1.tmp and f...off2.tmp (because I was boiling mad when I discovered this). Upon doing this I could make the files go away....permanently....dead....dead....dead....unrecoverable.... Ooopppss!!!! :) Guess I haven't quite gotten over the 2 hour ordeal yet.</p> <p>I'm using XP Pro SP3, I don't know if this works in Vista. Hope this helps. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57760 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:02:10 +0000 watcher13 57760@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Linda, I assume you mean you have a temp folder with these 2 files in it. It's possible that these are some kind of event reports. Windows often generates reports during install and other events. Sometimes they're in HTML or the related XML formats. Without knowing what the 3 letter extensions on the files are, in other words, .htm, .xml, etc., that would explain the stuff you found about mmc and snap-in. The mmc console does various things, including reading similar reports. If you want to see it: one way is to right click on My Computer and select "manage" from the list.<br /> However, I don't think clicking on the one would take you to your homepage if it was an event report.</p> <p>It might be a byproduct of the GOTD activate routine on the day Multi-Set was given away. I seem to remember a few people saying that Multi-Set put in a file or two that they had problems deleting, but am not 100% sure. Sometimes, too, the security permissions on these files get corrupted, not allowing you to delete stuff you should be able to. I've got Vista, and it can be bad about corrupted security permissions. In any case, corruption of some type would be one explanation of why you can't get the properties menu. </p> <p>In any case, if it's in a "Temp" folder, it's, practically by definition, safe to delete. Especially if you're not using Multi-Set. Even then, I doubt deleting these files would mess up Multi-Set. Try this freeware called Unlocker:<br /> <a href="http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/" rel="nofollow">http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/</a><br /> I use it when Windows is being unreasonable about deletions. It will delete a file when it's in use by a constantly running process, among other things. It will install into your right click menu and you can select it by right clicking on the file you want to delete. If it tells you ,"No locking handle found", which it probably will, use the drop down menu on the bottom left to delete the file. If it can't delete immediately, it will ask you if you want to delete on your next restart. It doesn't always work, but does delete many files that don't want to delete.</p> <p>These should be safe, but, if you use it in the future, be CAREFUL. You might even want to copy files you're trying to delete beforehand, so you can try and put them back if the deletion causes a problem. Good luck, and let us know what progress you have. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5480#post-57756 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:17:53 +0000 SeniorCitizen 57756@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Forgive me if I placed this in the wrong place or do not explain myself properly. On my computer's "Documents and Settings" there's a temp file. Inside this there's are 2 files with a LONG name: "Giveaway of the Day - free licensed software daily. Today MultiSet 6.5 - Want to create a WindowsXP installation disk that will automatically install the OS Win ....." can not read the rest.</p> <p>One file is 40kb HTML Document. When opened, I reach the homepage of my ISP, Bestweb.<br /> One file is 1kb Internet Shortcut. Can not be opened/used.</p> <p>My "Delete" tab does NOT delete this file. When I click on properties, it reads something like "Properties can not be viewed". (Sorry, the words totally slipped out of my old mind.) </p> <p>Files were created May 12, 2009. Have searched Google to learn how to get rid of these files but do not understand everything I've read. One thing was about a "snap-in"; another"MMC console" and "Standalone".</p> <p>Most of the people who post on giveaway I consider brilliant, honestly. I am a computer novice and though I try hard to learn sometimes it is very difficult for me. I so much want to remove these 2 unknown things from my computer, but I do not know how to. I will check back daily to see if someone could possibly explain to me how this problem happened, why it happened and how to get rid of these files -- in easy to understand layman's language.</p> <p>Thank you for reading this, and thank you giveaway of the day for the many pleasures you have provided me over the past year or so. -- Linda from New York </p>