Unable to delete files; calculating time...

[Ange8889]

Hi,

I am hoping to get some help on a problem I have been experiencing. I have an HP Pavillion dv5 with Vista SP2 64. This laptop did not come with a back up disk for the OS. I did create my own back up disks as recommended by HP, but have no clue where I would find the Vista.

I started to have trouble deleting files. What would happen is a 'calculating time' window would come up and then it would just go on endlessly. In order to stop it had to open task manager and stop the process. I've read several posts and have done troubleshooting with spybot and what the tech to eliminate any possible causes (viruses, malware etc..). I have run a diagnosis on PCPitstop and it shows I need to clean up files and defragment, but I can't do this as it just 'hangs' when I look to defrag or delete. On some of your earlier postings in 2008, I followed the instructions around possibly the recycling bin being corrupt. I ran the cmdprompt to see if it could detect and repair anything but no luck. I also tried the hot fix which apparently proved to be useless anyway. I have all the updates for Vista.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your time,

Ange

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Lets try ccleaner made to get rid of those files
Piriform - Download CCleaner, Defraggler, Recuva, Speccy - Millions of users worldwide!
Before trying make sure that all registry entries are unchecked.

Give this a try next
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/

Try in safe mode if you still have problems.

If problems persist you need a hard drive test.
Test Hard Drive www.carrona.org/hddiag.html or this test http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

 

[Ange8889]

Hi!

The ccleaner worked. I was able to get rid of all the temp files. When I tried a test run of deleting a file in Word, I noticed for the first time that Advanced SystemCare had a function (IObit Security) that allows you 'to unlock and delete' a file and it worked! I also went into itunes to delete a song to test it as well. I'm just trying to delete now from the recycling bin. It seems to take a long time though. I had to cancel and now the window is hanging just stating 'canceling.' I may have to use task manager again to stop it.

Ange

 

[richc46]

Glad that ccleaner helped.
I think the problem is that you do not have enough space on your hard drive.
Use ccleaner to clean the recycle bin.
Make sure empty recycle bin is checked.

 

[Ange8889]

Thanks again.

So as I waited for the recycling bin to finish its task, I was forced again to end it through task manager. I have tried to delete the recycle bin in the C and D drive. The window hangs stating 'deleting 1 item' but does not close on its own. Any suggestions?

Ange

 

[richc46]

Go to ccleaner and make sure that empty recycle bin is ticked. Then run it again.

If that does not work give this a try
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/131294-recycle-bin-corrupted-cannot-delete-file-folder.html

 

[Ange8889]

Hi!

I had done this in the past, but was happy to try it again. I restarted the computer. No change. I deleted a test file and when I tried to empty the recycling bin the window shows 'deleting' but nothing happens.

Interesting thing was when I booted it up, PCMatic tells me I have over 8,000 junk files??? ccleaner shows it cleaned all temp files (just left everything it automatically has ticked). Is there a hidden folder somewhere that I am missing?

Thanks again for your time and patience,

Ange

 

[richc46]

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/86163-hidden-files-folders.html

Some system files are hidden by default. Do not just start deleting unless you know the contents.

 

[ilikefree]

Unlocker is a good program also you could try deleting without going to the recycle bin by holding shift when you click delete.

Download Unlocker 1.9.0 - FileHippo.com

 

[Ange8889]

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried it but even to delete it hangs. I think it may have to do with not enough space on the hard drive. I'm going to clean up some of the files (mostly music) and see if it speeds things along.

I appreciate everyone's technical expertise!

Have a great day!

Ange

 

[richc46]

Yes, I agree with the space on the HD, as I stated above. Your problems point to that cause.