I have a folder with a video file inside.
I can not open the file.
When I try to open it, I get this message:

"The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable"

When I try to delete the file I get this message:

"An unexpected error is preventing the operation. Make a note of this error
code, which might be useful if you get additional help to resolve this
problem.
Error 0x80070091: The directory is not empty."

So, I'm stuck. I can not open this file nor delete it.
Does anyone know what I can do to delete this file?
Please note, I have done extensive research on this issue, both on this
forum and on many others, and so far the only resolution (that seems to work)
was to reformat the entire hard drive. That is something very time-consuming
and painful, considering that I will have to reinstall all my programs,
re-set up my entire computer, etc.

Again, does anyone have a tried-and-true method to fix this problem?
Please help out. Thanks a million!

Add "Take Ownership" to right-click menu in Vista

http://www.petri.co.il/add-take-owne...menu-vista.htm



"ALP" <ALP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:55DF1D3A-ECDA-4AA3-ACFA-7ADE3176B4D1@microsoft.com...
>I have a folder with a video file inside.
> I can not open the file.
> When I try to open it, I get this message:
>
> "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable"
>
> When I try to delete the file I get this message:
>
> "An unexpected error is preventing the operation. Make a note of this
> error
> code, which might be useful if you get additional help to resolve this
> problem.
> Error 0x80070091: The directory is not empty."
>
> So, I'm stuck. I can not open this file nor delete it.
> Does anyone know what I can do to delete this file?
> Please note, I have done extensive research on this issue, both on this
> forum and on many others, and so far the only resolution (that seems to
> work)
> was to reformat the entire hard drive. That is something very
> time-consuming
> and painful, considering that I will have to reinstall all my programs,
> re-set up my entire computer, etc.
>
> Again, does anyone have a tried-and-true method to fix this problem?
> Please help out. Thanks a million!

Bob,
Thank you for your help.
Before I make potentially damaging changes to my registry, are you
absolutely sure this will solve the problem or is this just a suggestion?
Also, is this different than the regular way to change ownership
(properties-security-advanced-owner-edit-check replace owner etc.)? Because
the regular way doesn't work on this file.


"Bob" wrote:

>
> Add "Take Ownership" to right-click menu in Vista
>
> http://www.petri.co.il/add-take-owne...menu-vista.htm
>
>
>
> "ALP" <ALP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:55DF1D3A-ECDA-4AA3-ACFA-7ADE3176B4D1@microsoft.com...
> >I have a folder with a video file inside.
> > I can not open the file.
> > When I try to open it, I get this message:
> >
> > "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable"
> >
> > When I try to delete the file I get this message:
> >
> > "An unexpected error is preventing the operation. Make a note of this
> > error
> > code, which might be useful if you get additional help to resolve this
> > problem.
> > Error 0x80070091: The directory is not empty."
> >
> > So, I'm stuck. I can not open this file nor delete it.
> > Does anyone know what I can do to delete this file?
> > Please note, I have done extensive research on this issue, both on this
> > forum and on many others, and so far the only resolution (that seems to
> > work)
> > was to reformat the entire hard drive. That is something very
> > time-consuming
> > and painful, considering that I will have to reinstall all my programs,
> > re-set up my entire computer, etc.
> >
> > Again, does anyone have a tried-and-true method to fix this problem?
> > Please help out. Thanks a million!
>
>

It worked for me. I don't "guarantee" it will work for you. Just backup your
registry before you use it in case you have a problem.
I have found it is easier and more effective "than the regular way to change
ownership".

"ALP" <ALP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4C006683-C27C-4448-82E9-292108E4CEA4@microsoft.com...
> Bob,
> Thank you for your help.
> Before I make potentially damaging changes to my registry, are you
> absolutely sure this will solve the problem or is this just a suggestion?
> Also, is this different than the regular way to change ownership
> (properties-security-advanced-owner-edit-check replace owner etc.)?
> Because
> the regular way doesn't work on this file.
>
>
> "Bob" wrote:
>
>>
>> Add "Take Ownership" to right-click menu in Vista
>>
>> http://www.petri.co.il/add-take-owne...menu-vista.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "ALP" <ALP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:55DF1D3A-ECDA-4AA3-ACFA-7ADE3176B4D1@microsoft.com...
>> >I have a folder with a video file inside.
>> > I can not open the file.
>> > When I try to open it, I get this message:
>> >
>> > "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable"
>> >
>> > When I try to delete the file I get this message:
>> >
>> > "An unexpected error is preventing the operation. Make a note of this
>> > error
>> > code, which might be useful if you get additional help to resolve this
>> > problem.
>> > Error 0x80070091: The directory is not empty."
>> >
>> > So, I'm stuck. I can not open this file nor delete it.
>> > Does anyone know what I can do to delete this file?
>> > Please note, I have done extensive research on this issue, both on this
>> > forum and on many others, and so far the only resolution (that seems to
>> > work)
>> > was to reformat the entire hard drive. That is something very
>> > time-consuming
>> > and painful, considering that I will have to reinstall all my programs,
>> > re-set up my entire computer, etc.
>> >
>> > Again, does anyone have a tried-and-true method to fix this problem?
>> > Please help out. Thanks a million!
>>
>>

ALP wrote:

> Bob,
> Thank you for your help.
> Before I make potentially damaging changes to my registry, are you
> absolutely sure this will solve the problem or is this just a suggestion?
> Also, is this different than the regular way to change ownership
> (properties-security-advanced-owner-edit-check replace owner etc.)?
> Because the regular way doesn't work on this file.

Bob is apparently enamored of adding the "take ownership" to right-click and
has been answering with this suggestion for a lot of posts where it will
have no effect on the problem whatsoever. And I think yours is one of those
cases.

I would try instead:

1. See if you can delete the file in Safe Mode.
2. If you can't, then try in Safe Mode from the command line.
3. If that doesn't work, try doing a Chkdsk and then deleting in Safe Mode
if the file is still there afterwards.

Click to open Computer and right-click the hard disk drive that you want to
check, and then left-click Properties.

Tools tab>Error-checking, click Check Now. Provide administrator
password/confirmation. Select "Automatically fix file system errors" and
Start. Answer "yes" to the question about running Chkdsk when you restart
Windows and go ahead and restart Windows.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

It won't delete in safe mode either.
As for your suggestion about running a disk check, as I wrote in another
post I posted yesterday, scan disk does not work on my computer no matter
what I do. When I restart - nothing happens, not even in safe mode.

"Malke" wrote:

> ALP wrote:
>
> > Bob,
> > Thank you for your help.
> > Before I make potentially damaging changes to my registry, are you
> > absolutely sure this will solve the problem or is this just a suggestion?
> > Also, is this different than the regular way to change ownership
> > (properties-security-advanced-owner-edit-check replace owner etc.)?
> > Because the regular way doesn't work on this file.
>
> Bob is apparently enamored of adding the "take ownership" to right-click and
> has been answering with this suggestion for a lot of posts where it will
> have no effect on the problem whatsoever. And I think yours is one of those
> cases.
>
> I would try instead:
>
> 1. See if you can delete the file in Safe Mode.
> 2. If you can't, then try in Safe Mode from the command line.
> 3. If that doesn't work, try doing a Chkdsk and then deleting in Safe Mode
> if the file is still there afterwards.
>
> Click to open Computer and right-click the hard disk drive that you want to
> check, and then left-click Properties.
>
> Tools tab>Error-checking, click Check Now. Provide administrator
> password/confirmation. Select "Automatically fix file system errors" and
> Start. Answer "yes" to the question about running Chkdsk when you restart
> Windows and go ahead and restart Windows.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> Don't Panic!
>

Do what I suggested.

"ALP" <ALP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E712F23D-7F24-471E-B653-F0DD353ACCC0@microsoft.com...
> It won't delete in safe mode either.
> As for your suggestion about running a disk check, as I wrote in another
> post I posted yesterday, scan disk does not work on my computer no matter
> what I do. When I restart - nothing happens, not even in safe mode.
>
> "Malke" wrote:
>
>> ALP wrote:
>>
>> > Bob,
>> > Thank you for your help.
>> > Before I make potentially damaging changes to my registry, are you
>> > absolutely sure this will solve the problem or is this just a
>> > suggestion?
>> > Also, is this different than the regular way to change ownership
>> > (properties-security-advanced-owner-edit-check replace owner etc.)?
>> > Because the regular way doesn't work on this file.
>>
>> Bob is apparently enamored of adding the "take ownership" to right-click
>> and
>> has been answering with this suggestion for a lot of posts where it will
>> have no effect on the problem whatsoever. And I think yours is one of
>> those
>> cases.
>>
>> I would try instead:
>>
>> 1. See if you can delete the file in Safe Mode.
>> 2. If you can't, then try in Safe Mode from the command line.
>> 3. If that doesn't work, try doing a Chkdsk and then deleting in Safe
>> Mode
>> if the file is still there afterwards.
>>
>> Click to open Computer and right-click the hard disk drive that you want
>> to
>> check, and then left-click Properties.
>>
>> Tools tab>Error-checking, click Check Now. Provide administrator
>> password/confirmation. Select "Automatically fix file system errors" and
>> Start. Answer "yes" to the question about running Chkdsk when you restart
>> Windows and go ahead and restart Windows.
>>
>> Malke
>> --
>> MS-MVP
>> Elephant Boy Computers
>> www.elephantboycomputers.com
>> Don't Panic!
>>

Bob,
How do I back up a registry?

"Bob" wrote:

> Do what I suggested.
>
> "ALP" <ALP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E712F23D-7F24-471E-B653-F0DD353ACCC0@microsoft.com...
> > It won't delete in safe mode either.
> > As for your suggestion about running a disk check, as I wrote in another
> > post I posted yesterday, scan disk does not work on my computer no matter
> > what I do. When I restart - nothing happens, not even in safe mode.
> >
> > "Malke" wrote:
> >
> >> ALP wrote:
> >>
> >> > Bob,
> >> > Thank you for your help.
> >> > Before I make potentially damaging changes to my registry, are you
> >> > absolutely sure this will solve the problem or is this just a
> >> > suggestion?
> >> > Also, is this different than the regular way to change ownership
> >> > (properties-security-advanced-owner-edit-check replace owner etc.)?
> >> > Because the regular way doesn't work on this file.
> >>
> >> Bob is apparently enamored of adding the "take ownership" to right-click
> >> and
> >> has been answering with this suggestion for a lot of posts where it will
> >> have no effect on the problem whatsoever. And I think yours is one of
> >> those
> >> cases.
> >>
> >> I would try instead:
> >>
> >> 1. See if you can delete the file in Safe Mode.
> >> 2. If you can't, then try in Safe Mode from the command line.
> >> 3. If that doesn't work, try doing a Chkdsk and then deleting in Safe
> >> Mode
> >> if the file is still there afterwards.
> >>
> >> Click to open Computer and right-click the hard disk drive that you want
> >> to
> >> check, and then left-click Properties.
> >>
> >> Tools tab>Error-checking, click Check Now. Provide administrator
> >> password/confirmation. Select "Automatically fix file system errors" and
> >> Start. Answer "yes" to the question about running Chkdsk when you restart
> >> Windows and go ahead and restart Windows.
> >>
> >> Malke
> >> --
> >> MS-MVP
> >> Elephant Boy Computers
> >> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> >> Don't Panic!
> >>
>
>

"2. If you can't, then try in Safe Mode from the command line. "

How exactly do I do that? I'm not familiar with command prompts.

By the way, your other two methods didn't work.
Method 1 - Wouldn't delete in safe mode either.
Method 3 - I can't run a disk check on my computer. See here:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/com...b-3b5cf8a3dc1d

ALP wrote:

> "2. If you can't, then try in Safe Mode from the command line. "
>
> How exactly do I do that? I'm not familiar with command prompts.
>
> By the way, your other two methods didn't work.
> Method 1 - Wouldn't delete in safe mode either.
> Method 3 - I can't run a disk check on my computer. See here:

(snippage)

This is why it would have been better for you to keep all posts about this
subject in *one* thread. Now you've apparently got at least two threads
going where people trying to help you have no idea what is going on in the
other thread(s).

To use a command prompt, Start Orb>Search box>type: cmd
At the cmd prompt navigate to where the file is (eg., cd C
\Users\your-user\Documents) and then

del [filename]

If this sounds like something you don't want to do, then consider consulting
a knowledgeable friend (someone who is really knowledgeable and not just
saying he is) or a computer professional.

However, if you can't run a Chkdsk then something else is wrong with your
machine. At this point I'd either ignore the file or back up your data and
do a clean install.

Standard disclaimer: Please understand that since I can't see your computer
these are just suggestions based on many years of being a professional
computer tech; suggestions based on what you've written. You should not
take my suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. If you can't do the work
yourself (and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea),
take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local
equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your data
backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

Press Winkey+R. Type regedit. Press Enter. Click File>Export. Save the file
as Registry Backup 2-10-2008.reg


"ALP" <ALP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:65050130-8648-44F6-AD70-ABC79C65D67C@microsoft.com...
> Bob,
> How do I back up a registry?
>
> "Bob" wrote:
>
>> Do what I suggested.
>>
>> "ALP" <ALP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:E712F23D-7F24-471E-B653-F0DD353ACCC0@microsoft.com...
>> > It won't delete in safe mode either.
>> > As for your suggestion about running a disk check, as I wrote in
>> > another
>> > post I posted yesterday, scan disk does not work on my computer no
>> > matter
>> > what I do. When I restart - nothing happens, not even in safe mode.
>> >
>> > "Malke" wrote:
>> >
>> >> ALP wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > Bob,
>> >> > Thank you for your help.
>> >> > Before I make potentially damaging changes to my registry, are you
>> >> > absolutely sure this will solve the problem or is this just a
>> >> > suggestion?
>> >> > Also, is this different than the regular way to change ownership
>> >> > (properties-security-advanced-owner-edit-check replace owner etc.)?
>> >> > Because the regular way doesn't work on this file.
>> >>
>> >> Bob is apparently enamored of adding the "take ownership" to
>> >> right-click
>> >> and
>> >> has been answering with this suggestion for a lot of posts where it
>> >> will
>> >> have no effect on the problem whatsoever. And I think yours is one of
>> >> those
>> >> cases.
>> >>
>> >> I would try instead:
>> >>
>> >> 1. See if you can delete the file in Safe Mode.
>> >> 2. If you can't, then try in Safe Mode from the command line.
>> >> 3. If that doesn't work, try doing a Chkdsk and then deleting in Safe
>> >> Mode
>> >> if the file is still there afterwards.
>> >>
>> >> Click to open Computer and right-click the hard disk drive that you
>> >> want
>> >> to
>> >> check, and then left-click Properties.
>> >>
>> >> Tools tab>Error-checking, click Check Now. Provide administrator
>> >> password/confirmation. Select "Automatically fix file system errors"
>> >> and
>> >> Start. Answer "yes" to the question about running Chkdsk when you
>> >> restart
>> >> Windows and go ahead and restart Windows.
>> >>
>> >> Malke
>> >> --
>> >> MS-MVP
>> >> Elephant Boy Computers
>> >> www.elephantboycomputers.com
>> >> Don't Panic!
>> >>
>>
>>

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message

>take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local
> equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad).

I'm curious as to why you recommend this?