Unable to delete folders on NTFS partition

[diablo7877]

Hey all... I consider myself to be a "computer guy" as I do it for my job and what not, but this has me completely stumped, and frankly, frustrated. I have a big "temp" folder which I keep all my downloads and what not, before I sort them however I feel like it and then delete the contents of the "temp" folder. Well, I had some MP3's in there with folders named after the bands. After attempting to delete these folders I get this error:

"Error Deleting File or Folder

Cannot delete X: It is being used by another person or program.

Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."

Alright here are all the steps I took to correct this program:
-Close any and all programs/processes that aren't being run by Windows, and aren't required for normal Windows operation.
-Restart and cold boot
-Booted into safe mode
-Booted into safe mode with command prompt only
-Attempted to get rid of any file attributes (read-only, etc.) but no matter what I do it repeatedly resets it to read-only... (I'm thinking this is why I am unable to delete it.)
-Ran a complete ChkDisk/Scandisk (the one that has to run before entering Windows)
-Ran virus scan (Norton Corporate)
-Ran all kinds of anti-spyware programs (Microsoft's, AdAware, Spybot)

I still cannot delete or rename these stupid folders, and I'm getting really angry!

Here are some facts about my computer before you guys suggest this stuff (I would suggest it too):
-Have all the latest critical and recommended Windows Updates from Microsoft
-Have up-to-date virus software
-Have up-to-date definitions for all spyware programs
-Have LEGIT copy of Windows XP Professional
-Using the NTFS on the drive with the problematic folders

I've searched the Microsoft knowledge base and still found nothing... Please help, someone...

[sp_100]

This discussion describes many ways to delete stuff.

Good Luck!

[diablo7877]

Originally Posted by sp_100

This discussion describes many ways to delete stuff.

Good Luck!

sp_100, any specific progs you would recommend from that thread? It discusses an issue quite different from my own, although I found much if it useful. I'm not sure exactly where to go from here... Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks much.

-Sean

[sp_100]

Move everything you need from the Temp folder.
Restart in Safe Mode.
Open Command Prompt.
Kill explorer.exe using Task Manger.
And try deleting Temp folder using the code posted by Sick Willie.

Note: To start explorer.exe (when you are done):
Open Task Manager (ALT+CTRL+DEL).
File -> New Task (Run…) -> explorer.exe -> OK

If it doesn’t work try, the applications listed there … They are relatively small, and will not pollute your computer.

Good Luck!

[diablo7877]

Got them deleted... Needed to use the RD command instead of DEL :P... I'm used to DOS commands still... Since deltree obviously doesn't work, I thought del would be kinda the "catch all" command for deletion in the windows command prompt... Thanks for the head up on RD. Now if only I could figure out what all these folders got like this... I still don't get it.

[ballhog]

Originally Posted by diablo7877

Got them deleted... Needed to use the RD command instead of DEL :P... I'm used to DOS commands still... Since deltree obviously doesn't work, I thought del would be kinda the "catch all" command for deletion in the windows command prompt... Thanks for the head up on RD. Now if only I could figure out what all these folders got like this... I still don't get it.

rd IS a DOS command...

[davidting]

Originally Posted by diablo7877

Got them deleted... Needed to use the RD command instead of DEL :P... I'm used to DOS commands still... Since deltree obviously doesn't work, I thought del would be kinda the "catch all" command for deletion in the windows command prompt... Thanks for the head up on RD. Now if only I could figure out what all these folders got like this... I still don't get it.

I too have this problem. I suspect it comes from a spyware initially designed to block or erase its folder. I may have remove the spyware but the settings to move, rename or delete the folder from windows explorer is still blocked for all my partition disk. I tried dos cmd and it seems fine renaming (ren) and deleting (rd) the folder. However the window explorer are not able to do so. Puzzled???

On windows explorer, changing of filenames, remove or delete is all ok. It is just the folder acting weird. Creating a new folder is frustrating cos whatever name i called it, it will just create new folder, new folder(2) .... cos i just can't change the folder name (unless i go to dos). Attribute properties tell me that the folder is "read only". Uncheck that, apply it and go back to properties and the "read only" is back on.

FYI. I do have administrator right to my notebook.
Much appreciated if someone found a solution to this and share it.