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System Volume Information Won't Delete on External Drive
I cannot delete any files in an obsolete System Volume Information folder on an external harddrive that holds only data -- no OS (Vista) files or programs (which are all on the C-Drive). When I click on the SVI folder, sub-folders, or any files, I am asked if I'm sure I want to move the selection to the Recycle Bin. When I click yes, the affirmation window closes, and then nothing at all happens -- no deletion, no error message. I have changed the sharing permissions to full access; I have tried to delete in Safe Mode; I have run Disk Cleanup/More Options/System Restore & Shadow Copies Cleanup -- nothing works.
try this it might work http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
could also hit alt dell... i think that command tells the file to skip the recycling bin... that too might work...
Try taking ownership, turn off "Hide protected operating system files" and turn on "Show hidden files and folders". Then right-click, Properties, Security, Advanced, Owner, and there you can take ownership.Have you check the drive for a virus???
ASKER
Unlocker -- Doesn't work. An error msg reads: "Error Debug Privileges"
Alt/Del -- Doesn't work. Same result as Delete (and asks about sending to Recycle Bin anyway)
Ownership -- There is no Security tab under Properties. I tried taking ownership via Sharing, but that didn't work either. I've run 3 different virus checkers, and they've found nothing.
Alt/Del -- Doesn't work. Same result as Delete (and asks about sending to Recycle Bin anyway)
Ownership -- There is no Security tab under Properties. I tried taking ownership via Sharing, but that didn't work either. I've run 3 different virus checkers, and they've found nothing.
go into safemode and see if you can delete it from there... i know for a fact you can use a live cd and delete it but i think this can be handled in windows
ASKER
Thanks, but as I've mentioned in my original request, I unsuccessfully tried to delete the folder via Safe Mode. I'll look into a a Live CD, although that might lead to to even more issues.
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So, I downloaded a LiveCD ISO file; downloaded/installed an ISO Image Copy program; burned the ISO on a CD (after 3 tries); booted my system to the LiveCD, and then, as I imagined, I was stuck: There's no indication how to access, much less delete files on my external drive. This will inevitably lead me to post other questions on the forum regarding how to use LiveCD, so i'm just going to forget about this method. I'm beginning to think I'm stuck with these System Volume Information files forever. My last idea is to transfer the 70 GBs of good data to another drive, reformat this one, and the transfer them all back. Not a pleasant task.
ASKER
I had a related idea: I had previously made a Kubuntu install CD, so I booted off of that, and a version of Kubuntu came up. I easily located the nasty folder, and in one click, it was deleted! Does Kubuntu count as a LiveCD? If so, you gave me the idea, danielcc, so I'll give you the credit. But now I'm left with residual problems: How to get Unlocker to work properly (debug privilege issue), for instance. I'll save that for another time,