Right now I am like a fish out of water.

I somehow got a glitch in my computer.

Anyone need a challenge ?


Because I have a folder named C:\windows\temp\_ISTMP45.DIR

I can't do any updates for maintenance.

I can't check for errors on the HD
I can't de-fragment the HD

I can scandisk for a few seconds but as soon as it gets to this folder it is says file after file is corrupt.

I have figured out it is related to the Installation Wizard.
Which one I don't know.

The Folder is 1.28 GB in size.
I have tried 5 different ways to delete it without success.

Scandisk From DOS
Scandisk Normal
Scandisk from Start-up Disc
From Explorer
From Tmp files

Here is an idea of what some of the files look like.

AAAAD4a7.TMp
AVEQoKKS.Aga
AoECa5VF.cAS
S1Merm1Y.00K
gJk2p/db.372


I have tried to read this ....... Hah... to me it's bafflegab!

http://www.sqlpass.org/Forums/messag...&threadid=7277


I have downloaded AVG from grisoft for anti-virus info but this procedure even
is affected by this folder (not that I expected it wouldn't) .

I'd rather not have to take this to a tech at $60/hr if I can get away with it.

 

Try booting into pure DOS mode with the setup cd. try typing
"CD C:\windows\temp\_ISTMP45.DIR" at the "C:\" prompt and see if it lists the files in that directory with the DIR command. If it does, then delete them with "DELETE *.*" Then, type "CD.." and that should bring you back to the c:\windows\temp directory. delete the _ISTMP45.DIR directory by typing "RD _ISTMP45.DIR" Try that first. If that doesn't work have you ever tried the DELTREE command from DOS? That could probably be used too. If you have deltree you could probably type "DELTREE c:\windows\temp\_ISTMP45.DIR" at the "C:\" prompt. I don't know how much you know about DOS, but DOS may be the only way of deleting this pesky directory. Be careful. Hope this helps.

 

This:

reinforces my belief that you have a seriously corrupted filesystem. A forward slash is a special character in DOS (and Windows 98) and can't be a part of a filename.

Try and get a hold of a copy of Norton Utilities and have it scan your hard drive for errors. DON'T try and delete the directory by hand, you may end up making it worse.

Best case, it fixes the problem, and all is well. Worst case, back everything up, format, and reinstall everything.

Now would be an excellent time to upgrade to a newer operating system.

I'm strongly leaning towards using what little time the system may have left to copy off what you need. It might be days or hours before the whole thing goes belly up.

 

andy is right, deep inside that infernal machine, a file is corrupted... this happens to me occasionally, and it gives me a good reason to reformat. Unlike most, I don't partition the HD to save any information. I've only owned Windows XP, and found it pretty easy to be back up and running within three hours of reformat. My sister is a tech support for Sykes, and has to talk people through this all the time.

 

try this first.....
before you go format...

http://housecall.trendmicro.com

do a scan of your C:\ and auto clean.....
just to be sure....

I have actually seen this folder before and it wasa valid folder

 

That program can't get in because of something the computer can't download to allow it run.

I can't remember what it's called.

I have more info in the line of a weird Icon in C: drive contents,

It should be easy to ID.

 

You may not be able to delete it if the program it serves is running at the time. If you are using Win98 try rebooting into SAFE MODE and then try deleting it. If that still doesn't work do what freewheelin sez and do it in DOS MODE. I wouldn't use DELTREE it may delete more then you want. DEL will work just fine. I've had to delete pesky files that way several times.

 

Illegal characters in file names are used by many virus programs etc. It is easy to do with a number of legit programs also. Those program names may have illegal characters that do not display also.

Go into the SAFE MODE and use DOS to remove the directory using the commands listed in the post above. Dos will come up with some strange looking file names if it can list the files. USE "HELP command" for help with dos command syntax. If using SAFE MODE and DOS does not work it will take some specialized tools that a computer tech would have and know how to use.

 

Some spyware/hijackers install themselves and are nearly impossible to get rid of. Xupiter is a famous one and most spyware programs watch for the numerous variants. I think you've already said that you run some spyware stuff? I don't know for sure if this is spyware or a hijacker, but it has definitely hijacked your system and won't allow you to do much of anything important. Xupiter wouldn't let me do most of what you say yours won't allow you to do. I ended up calling Microsoft and had them walk me through reformatting to get rid of it. Then I did a major search for the spyware stuff I currently use (3 different ones), I have Norton, plus my ISP spam blocker also does a virus scan before my mail gets to my puter.

You definitely have corruption in your puter with those files. If you don't have a system restore disc, you may end up having to call microsoft for a walkthrough like I did. Good luck. Back up what you can...but in my opinion, a lot of hijackers insert language and files in so many places that you may just carry it all over to a new reformat and be right back where you started. Good luck buddy.

 

Dennis sorry to hear about your computer misfortune. With what skills I don't have I would probably just reformat the drive.

BTW isn't this a good scenario to propose a new forum topic on FTE. "Computer Help" It seems we have quite a few technically savvy members here who are willing to help others out. This new forum, if created, would be a great benefit for all. Talk about your truck and get your computer fixed at the same time.

 

Wow, are you sure there is a "/" in the file name? If there is, we have serious problems.

What op sys are you running?

First: I would re-name your %temp% directory (c:\windows\temp) to "Old Temp" and leave that file in your windows directory. Then create a new file called "Temp". This way we can try to delete the entire "Old Temp" folder.

No lets shut down the computer and let it rest for about 30 seconds. Reboot and delete the "Old Temp" Folder. If you cannot delete the "Old Temp" folder then one of the files has a process running.

Registry (Please be careful): To open up registry Run: "regedit" Then Go Here and delete anything the references to the "Old Temp" Folder, if there is any.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/RunOnceEx

Next, re-name the "Old Temp" Folder to something crazy like "klhweqltr82734823hf23fh" that way windows can't find the file nor run anything file or process within.

Reboot the computer and try to delete the folder.

If not, run your AVG and scan everything except the folders where you are getting the corrupted file error.

If none of this works, you need to read up on DOS and delete the file in there.

Oh, yea, also if you have corrupted files and you try to delete the file and are successful, then you will probably make things worse, and there are probably more files that are corrupted, therefore you whole system is vulnerable.

This is what I would do personally: By CD's, backup all important files, run virus check on cd's and the format the drive 2 times.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

 

Sorry, It is DEL, not DELETE thanks nightowl.

 

Wow, are you sure there is a "/" in the file name? If there is, we have serious problems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More than the one , after watching closely during the virus scan, numerous files that start like this ////////////////////////////////.\\....\\\\\.//////////////////////,etc

are in this folder

 

I've had to bring out the old cobwebbed up Dos For Dummies book for myself several times over the years.

 

This may sound like a silly question, but have you rebooted since all of this started happening? If there's an install that failed in process, rebooting will often take care of it by either continuing the install or removing temporary files.