Have two file icons on desktop I can't delete ... help!!?

Question

I keep a very clean "desktop" on my laptop computer. So clean that I have only three icons on it general, although in process of some thing i will put some on there temporarily.

This is the case, and there are now two folder icons that I cannot delete .. I was able to delete the contents of the folders, but not the folders themselves, even after rebooting and other maintenance procedures. When I try to, it tells me
"Cannot delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk."

Any help would be so welcome, this is gonna drive me nuttier. LOL

Thanks for those two quick answers .... have already tried those suggestions, which are good ones .. but it didn't work, which is why i posted.

They are just folders .. no program was associated with them ... but with the files inside ... which were just various zip and data files, and the programs to these are intact. This is very baffling to me.

Answer 1

Reboot your system in command prompt (By pressing F8 during boot up) and goto c:/Documenrs and Settings/User(Depends on the username yiou have logged in. It could be Administrator also)/desktop, by typing CD c:/Documents and Settings/User/desktop

See all files (by typing DIR)
If the file is displayed over there delete the file.

Make sure that the file is not dumped by some virus.

Once yoyu return back to the normal prompt

Answer 2

maximum table actual icons are shortcuts to this methodology. Deleting a private laptop icon won't delete this methodology, that's on your laptop and you're able to be able to get to it via going into this methodology menu. The table actual icon is purely a short decrease. There are some that are this methodology particularly than being a shortcut.

Answer 3

Can i know what OS are you using? If you are using MS Windows xp, maybe that is a problem with your recycle bin. If you trying to delete it directly and still cannot doit, im suggest that you try it in the DOS mode. type del then ENTER.

If you are not sure, try to check for the properties in the right click menu from the icon. Then check if it is a read-only, if it is try to change it(uncheck it).

Answer 4

Sounds like they are just shortcuts in the folders and the programs associated with them are already deleted.
Try right clicking and deleting them, but don't have them open when you do it or will tell you it can't because they are in use.

Answer 5

This has worked for me so please try it -

Try manually drag them into the recycle bin or try and delete them whilst in Safe Mode.

EDIT: Have you tried renaming the folders, then try again. Horrid when it's baffling isn't it!

If no one else comes up with an answer that solves your problem, try this website http://www.webuser.co.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php/Cat/0

You will have to register but the people in there are extremely knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Answer 6

Open Command prompt type DEL then give one space and drag/drop file into command prompt window.. Open Task Manager/processes and kill explorer.exe,
go to CMD prompt and hit enter.
Go to Task Manager/New Task and
type explorer.exe hit ok..
That should normaly do it

OR
Try using erasng it from DOS with rmdir or rm or del or deltree.