Question

cannot delete nul: the parameter is incorrect

Asked by: td13

I have a problem with my flash disk. It has a folder named autroun.inf. Inside that folder, there is con folder. Inside con, there is aux, and inside aux there is nul folder
I can't delete the autorun.inf folder because of the last folder I mention. How to solve this problem? Can somebdoy help me?

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Asked On
2009-10-15 at 18:57:47ID24816945
Tags

parameter

,

incorrect

,

nul

Topics

Windows XP Operating System

,

MS DOS

Participating Experts
6
Points
500
Comments
12

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Answers

 

by: edbedbPosted on 2009-10-15 at 19:19:04ID: 25586540

I have never had that problem, but here are a couple things you can try.
How about Renaming it. Doing an error check on that drive might fix it. Can you move it?

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-15 at 19:21:53ID: 25586549

Try using this program Unstoppable Copier...it copies anything http://www.roadkil.net/

Once copied, change the attributes of the files you cant delete to file is ready for archiving, deselect hidden and read-only.

Now try copying them back with this same program.

 

by: HVHSTechPosted on 2009-10-15 at 19:59:41ID: 25586786

If you just format the disk everything should be erased from it
that takes just a few minutes

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-15 at 20:21:37ID: 25586850

If you do that then where is the fun of "fixing" it. I mean...format is a given. But if is a U3 drive with a bunch of installed apps and nicely configure then you would have to start from scratch.

 

by: dbruntonPosted on 2009-10-15 at 20:27:35ID: 25586862

Get a Linux Live CD such as Knoppix http://www.knoppix.org/

Boot from that and then access your flash disk.  You should be able to delete the file then.

Names such as CON, AUX, NUL are reserved names  - illegal - in Windows.  Here is Microsoft's way of doing it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315226

More information

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa365247(VS.85).aspx

 

by: td13Posted on 2009-10-16 at 00:52:45ID: 25587612

I can't rename the nul folder either aux and con too.. I try to use microsoft way, it didn't work either. Using del command, it comes up with message "The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect"
Then I use RD, it comes up with "the directory is not empty". Still don't know how to solve it. I will try with linux way

 

by: BillDLPosted on 2009-10-16 at 03:39:12ID: 25588223

td13

I'm not sure if you are aware, but the presence of an "autorun.inf" file in the root of a USB Flash Drive MAY be the sign of a virus that could have infected any PC it has been inserted into.  I believe that is how the "Conficker" virus was or is propogated, but even if it isn't that virus, there are loads more that spread using the same method.

As BitsAndBytesAndMore has said though, it could be that the "autorun.inf" is supposed to be there to run legitimate programs on the Flash Drive.  Certainly if you have eer installed any "Portable" applications to the drive, then the *.inf file may be there to run them.

I think this is suspicious with there being folders named CON and NUL, for reasons explained by dbrunton.

Hopefully you can get rid of these using the previously suggested methods, but I would urge you to fully scan every PC and laptop that the Flash Drive has been inserted into with good AntiVirus software and AntiSpyware programs just to be sure.  Also treat all other Flash Drives you have used recently as potentially infected.

 

by: dlb6597Posted on 2009-10-16 at 04:46:46ID: 25588564

change E: in the following commands to the drive letter of your flash drive and run them at a cmd prompt.

RD \\.\E:\autorun.inf\con\aux\nul /s /q
RD \\.\E:\autorun.inf\con\aux /s /q
RD \\.\E:\autorun.inf\con /s /q
RD \\.\E:\autorun.inf /s /q

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-16 at 07:42:45ID: 25590000

Be aware that the above command is telling the flash drive and the OS to remove quietly these directories. If, as mentioned above by BillDL, you need these directories.... your U3 or other legitimate apps will fail.

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-16 at 07:48:17ID: 25590058

I would first scan the flashdrive and your system for viruses and malware.

To Scan for malware:

Go into Safe Mode.
Then go to this website and download these programs:
MalwareBytes Anti Malware.... http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
and/or SuperAntiSpyware http://www.superantispyware.com/  
Make sure you update to the latest versions.

Once downloaded (you may need to rename MalwareBytes, Combofix or other tools before saving their files to the desktop as Malware can recognize the name and block them unless renamed)

While still in Safe Mode, Go to Start-Run and type:

Msconfig

Once in the application, go to the services tab and "hide all Microsoft services" select the remaining and disable". Then go to the Startup Tab and disable all entries.
Reboot.
After the system boots it will give you a warning regarding the changes made by msconfig. Select do not warn me again.

Now you can run the anti Malware applications recommended above.
 
If the problem persists...go to http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix  and follow the instructions.  
 

 

by: td13Posted on 2009-10-16 at 10:13:50ID: 31641947

I think this is caused by an antivirus. I forgot what is the name of the antivirus. Thx 4 all the solutions.

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-16 at 10:42:46ID: 25591614

dbrunton: it really was a great answer.... Congrats.!!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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