Need to delete a file

[Jasper44]

I have a file on my computer that won't delete. I think it got there by being downloaded through limewire. When you right click on it there is no delete option in the drop down menu. The file won't delete, rename, or move anywere. I tried Moveonboot but when i select the file it says invalid file name so that program wont get rid of it. It is a jpeg and the file name is really long. I tried the command prompt to get rid of it but it didnt work, but i also dont think i was doing it right. Does anyone have any ideas? Safe mode doesnt work either. Its not one of those files that says access denied you just simply cant delete it. There is no option and it wont drag anywhere so when you drag it to recycle nothing happens.

[-pops-]

One of the continuing dangers of using P2P programs.

Can you do a System Restore to a time before this installed itself?

Do you have a backup of your system? All computers should have a backup. For computers that use file sharing a backup is especially important as you're constantly exposed to dangers such as this - and possibly worse.

Is this file actually a jpeg? Does it open to a picture? All sorts of nasties can appear to have an innocent file extension when in fact it is just a disguise for something a lot more sinister.

What antivirus/anti-malware programs do you use?

[Alexis Blaze]

sounds like a JPEG OF DEATH.... i don't really know much about it though.... i heard that it is a new type of virus... usually virus only attack executable files like exe, com, etc... but JPEG OF DEATH attack JPEG files by modifying the JPEG header...

[cozofdeath]

This is very interesting. After scanning for malware try starting in safe mode and opening your task manage (ctrl+alt+del), click the Processes tab and close everything but needed to run processes like alg, svchost, smss, csrss, svchost, and lsass. Then close explorer.exe, everthing will disapear except the background. Then while the task manager is still open click the Applications tab then New Task and type in CMD then hit enter. That will give you the command prompt. After that enter this into the command prompt "ren C:\path\jpegfile newname". Ren renames the file, path is the path to the file yours will be different depending on where the file is and jpegname is the pictures name, newname is whatever you want to make the new name be. After that enter "del C:\path\newjpegname" and it should delete it.

If that doesn't work I would open it in a hex editor and delete all of the files contents. It sort of seems like something else is not letting you delete or move the file. Like a running process/service or startup program. So post back if nothing here works.

[Jasper44]

I tried system restore and that got rid of other stuff i downloaded before the restore point but not the jpeg. Ill try your method when i can cozofdeath and get back to you.

[Jasper44]

Ok, when I open the command prompt it says C:\Documents and Settings\Chris so I typed what you told me to after that and it says the syntax of the command is incorrect. I typed C:\folder\folder\filename newfilename and it gave me the error.

[nellie2]

Jasper, is your system fully patched? The Jpeg of death exploit is a pretty old one

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/u..._jpeg_tool.mspx

[Jasper44]

I went to that site and downloaded the patch for windows xp service pack 2 and when I go to install it, it says the program to be updated can't be found ...this thing is driving me crazy. Norton won't scan the file because it says invalid file name when you click on it to scan it. Am I just stuck with it forever? What is the hex editing?

[cozofdeath]

Where is the file? Could you post the path to it and the file name, like ex.(C:\documents and settings\chris\desktop\longa$$filenameforjpgfile.jpg)

[Jasper44]

The location is C:\documents and settings\chris\desktop\'\downloads\longa$$filenameforjpgfile.jpg

[cozofdeath]

When in the command prompt and logged in as chris try these two commands...

1. cd desktop\'\downloads\

2. del 12345*.*

Replace 12345 with the first 5 characters in the troublesome jpeg filename. Make sure there is no space between the 12345 and the *.*.

The command del 12345*.* is saying delete any files that start with 12345, that way it won't try to read the whole filename and it may save trying to rename the file.

[Jasper44]

I posted this problem on 3 different fourms and someone on afterdawn.com came through tonight and told me about a program to download and it worked like a charm. Here is the link so you can pass it on to the next person that has a problem or for your own knowledge.

http://www.replsoft.com/cutlongnames.html

Thanks cozofdeath and everyone else for the help.

[cozofdeath]

No problem. Glad to try to help. Thanks for posting that tool, I never seen something like that before. I'll have to remember that program.

[NaZ]

Whenever i wish to delete something that needs cannot easily be deleted i use [KillBox] and this deletes just about anything and if it cannot, it deletes it next time windows starts up.

Thankyou...

[NaZ]