recycle bin errors

[piano632]

This problem has been bugging me for days now:

Sometimes (but not always) when I delete a file into the recycle bin then try to empty it, I get an error that says "Cannot delete Dm1: Access is denied". Apparently there is still an invisible windows file in the recycle bin that can't be deleted. If I restart the computer all is fine and the file is gone, but who wants to restart all the time. At first I thought this was a corrupted OS (WinXP) so I completely reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled XP on one drive. I still have another drive though where the problem may be. I have searched the www for a solution to this, but no one seems to have an answer. Someone hinted it may have something to do with the hidden system file called "recycler". Is it safe to delete this file off the hard drive to see if that fixes anything, or is there another solution?

[BJ_M]

turn off "use recycle bin" on all drives

reboot

delete recycle bin on all drives

reboot

uncheck (turn on) "use recycle bin" on all drives

might work

[piano632]

Turning off recycle bin on that drive doesn't help. Now the "deleted" files disappear then magically reappear in the same place they were just deleted from.

After playing around with the RECYCLER system folder in safe mode, I got a message saying the recycle bin was corrupted on that drive. I tried to delete the files in this folder but it won't let me delete a file called INFO2 even if logged on as administrator. Is there any way to repair the corruption in the recycle bin without reformatting the whole drive? I would reformat it if I had a place to move 250GB of data to, but...

[SLK001]

Run a system wide virus scan. Sometimes these things hid in the recycle bin, and give themselves extra priviledges.

[piano632]

Problem solved (I hope). I used DOS mode to delete the corrupted RECYCLER folder then Windows created a new one upon bootup.

[TBoneit]

Try this page for more help.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Windows-XP-3282/Windows-XP-Pro-SP2.htm
Your info2 file may be corrupt. or from the same page
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;168570

good luck

[piano632]

Well, it worked for a day. Now it's corrupted again. Don't ask me how! And even worse, DOS mode can't even find the RECYCLER folder any more, so I can't delete it (even though Windows shows it's there and says access is denied). The links above are no help since they don't apply to my situation. The weirdest part of all this, is that when the recycle bin is emptied, it still shows as full and if I try to empty again sometimes it says "Are you sure you want to delete Windows?" (and no, the windows folder is not actually in the recycle bin).

[TBoneit]

Sounds like Malware hiding in the recycle bin more and more.

[redwudz]

At this point I also think you have a malware problem. If not, then you may have a corrupted system and a repair or reinstall of the OS may be in order.

You could try Trend Micros online scan: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ I would suggest you first turn off your 'restore' function as malware may be hiding there are reinstalling. I haven't used the software for a while, but if you can disconnect from the internet and run it in safe mode, even better.

I use AVG antivirus, SpyBot S&D, Spyware Blaster. All freeware. But I also have a software firewall and a router firewall. With those I haven't had any problems in a couple of years. Any malware that gets through is detected with a daily scan before it tries to install.

Also take a look at Task Manager>Processes. Sometimes you will find a odd entry. Check the name with a Google search.

[TBoneit]

Good point, those creative malware writers like to name their stuff so it shows up in the task manager looking legitimate. I remember one I used to see that hid itself in a folder under system32 that used the name of a antivirus product for the folder name.

BTW if you have the full dos set attrib command couild be helpful. Have you tried dir /ah to show hidden folders? if you know the folder name you can CD to it even when it is hidden. Attrib can remove hidden, system, and read only. The dos version of XP also has /s to process file or files and a /d to process a folder itself.

[piano632]

I ran 3 different anti-virus apps and all found nothing.
I ran Check Disk looking for bad sectors (didn't say whether it found any or not).
Primary HDD was reformatted and OS was reinstalled from CD 3-4 days ago. Only secondary HDD has not been reformatted so the problem is likely there somewhere.
Recycler folder was deleted from secondary HDD 2 days ago and Windows created a new one, so if there was any malware in that folder it should have been deleted.
Turned off System Restore on secondary HDD.

The last thing I deleted from secondary HDD worked OK, so we'll see if the problem returns when I delete some more stuff.

Apparently I am not the only one who's had this same problem, but no one seems to have the solution:
http://www.techspot.com/vb/all/windows/t-23028-WinXP-Pro-Recycle-Bin-always-wants-to-d...e-Windows.html
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-256266.php
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-nt-2000-xp/468286-wierd-recycle-bin-problem-you.html
http://sillydog.org/forum/sdt_12104.php

[TBoneit]

You do understand that each drive has a seperate recycle bin? If you've only benn doing C: for example and the one on D: is bad you'll still have problems. Your disktop link when you say empty all does all recycle bins on all drives.
Why not turn it off on all but C: and see what happens, then add one drive at a time.

Um... you don't have to put in the recycle bin and then empty it to delete. Just hold down the shift key and it will delete rather than send to the recycle bin. Same with deleting messages in Outlook express for example. just highlighting and hitting the delete key or right clicking and choosing delete only moves it to the "Deleted Items" folder. Holding down the shift key while doing those actions deletes completely. Barring use of a email undelete utility of course.