Deleting folders after SP2 update in ROOT directory?

I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a
satisfactory answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too now have
this problem:

"There is a file in the root directory with a very cryptic name 30
(apparently random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's sole
subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named update. SP2 has 2
files in it and update has 3 files. Can I delete this small tree in the
root?"

I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating I can't
delete these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root, all of which
contain a funny hex number folder, followed by either a single folder named
"SP2", or else immediately a folder called "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in
that - I did do a
successful SP2 install.

Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk under
ACCESSORIES (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it either.

Thanks!
--
--
Regards -

- Andrew

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php...=asc&highlight
Tidying up after installing SP2

and/or
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#R...ll_information
Removing the uninstall information

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
Save Space After Installing Updates






"Andrew" <> wrote in message news:...
> I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a satisfactory
> answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too now have this problem:
>
> "There is a file in the root directory with a very cryptic name 30 (apparently
> random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's sole
> subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named update. SP2 has 2 files
> in it and update has 3 files. Can I delete this small tree in the
> root?"
>
> I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating I can't delete
> these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root, all of which contain a funny hex
> number folder, followed by either a single folder named "SP2", or else immediately
> a folder called "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in that - I did do a
> successful SP2 install.
>
> Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk under ACCESSORIES
> (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it either.
>
> Thanks!
> --
> --
> Regards -
>
> - Andrew
>
>

Taurarian wrote:
> http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php...=asc&highlight
> Tidying up after installing SP2
>
> and/or
> http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#R...ll_information
> Removing the uninstall information
>
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
> Save Space After Installing Updates
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Andrew" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a
>> satisfactory answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too
>> now have this problem: "There is a file in the root directory with a very
>> cryptic name 30
>> (apparently random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's sole
>> subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named update. SP2 has
>> 2 files in it and update has 3 files. Can I delete this
>> small tree in the root?"
>>
>> I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating I
>> can't delete these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root, all
>> of which contain a funny hex number folder, followed by either a
>> single folder named "SP2", or else immediately a folder called
>> "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in that - I did do a successful SP2
>> install.
>>
>> Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk
>> under ACCESSORIES (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it
>> either. Thanks!
>> --
>> --
>> Regards -
>>
>> - Andrew

I appreciate the reply, but this is NOT my problem. All 3 web entries you
refer to are for removing the Service Pack folders of the ilk
"$NTUninstall" in c:\windows (or in my case c:\WINNT).

My problem again (as have others) are about 30 folders right out of the
root, examples being":

c:\b3ca984ce178c38 , c:\e94514, c:\7f142afdaa46695c8d2360,
c:\f6c2b3717704f7977cde448ab3659, and so on.

THOSE are the ones that need deleting! Any ideas?


--
--
Regards -

- Andrew

Andrew;
These folders sound like the folders that are normally deleted after
an update.
Reboot then try.
Otherwise delete them from Safe Mode:
Reboot tapping F8 each second
Select Safe Mode at the menu.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"Andrew" <> wrote in message
news:...
> I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a
> satisfactory answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too
> now have this problem:
>
> "There is a file in the root directory with a very cryptic name 30
> (apparently random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's sole
> subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named update.
> SP2 has 2 files in it and update has 3 files. Can I delete this
> small tree in the
> root?"
>
> I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating I
> can't delete these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root, all
> of which contain a funny hex number folder, followed by either a
> single folder named "SP2", or else immediately a folder called
> "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in that - I did do a
> successful SP2 install.
>
> Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk
> under ACCESSORIES (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it
> either.
>
> Thanks!
> --
> --
> Regards -
>
> - Andrew
>
>

Jupiter Jones [MVP] wrote:
> Andrew;
> These folders sound like the folders that are normally deleted after
> an update.
> Reboot then try.
> Otherwise delete them from Safe Mode:
> Reboot tapping F8 each second
> Select Safe Mode at the menu.
>
>
> "Andrew" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a
>> satisfactory answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too
>> now have this problem:
>>
>> "There is a file in the root directory with a very cryptic name 30
>> (apparently random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's sole
>> subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named update.
>> SP2 has 2 files in it and update has 3 files. Can I delete this
>> small tree in the
>> root?"
>>
>> I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating I
>> can't delete these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root, all
>> of which contain a funny hex number folder, followed by either a
>> single folder named "SP2", or else immediately a folder called
>> "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in that - I did do a
>> successful SP2 install.
>>
>> Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk
>> under ACCESSORIES (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it
>> either.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> --
>> --
>> Regards -
>>
>> - Andrew

Jupiter - thanks for this try. Doesn't work. When I try, even if safe
mode, I get a pop up box that says it can't delete UPDATE.EXE (one of the
apps in one of the SP2\UPDATE folders).

Isn't there some way to either FORCE a folder to go away, or run a cleanup
job? Geez!

I do appreciate the previous reply - seemed like a good idea!

--
--
Regards -

- Andrew

Hi Andrew and others frustated by idiot folders in the root:

I finally got mine deleted. It wasn't easy. Let's see if I can
remember how I did it -- I think Kelly posted some instructions. I
had to go into safe mode, then fiddle with taking ownership of the
folder. I had to do something else, too -- opening some kind of a
weird dialog box, navigating to an obscure tab, and using my account
as fishy as administrator to add fishy as administrator to the list of
users allowed to modify the folder. Once that was done, I myself,
fishy as administrator, could delete the goddam folders. Sorry --
fishy turning into a crab here.

Hopefully these dim recollections of a nightmare will spur a more
knowledgeable person to identify the precise steps involved. Sorry I
can't give the steps myself -- I got it done and made a note to never,
ever, attempt to download and install a service pack again. CD's
only, please.

<*((((><{




In the last exciting episode on Thu, 11 Nov 2004 21:42:15 -0700,
"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <> wrote:

|Andrew;
|These folders sound like the folders that are normally deleted after
|an update.
|Reboot then try.
|Otherwise delete them from Safe Mode:
|Reboot tapping F8 each second
|Select Safe Mode at the menu.
|
|--
|Jupiter Jones [MVP]
|http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
|
|
|"Andrew" <> wrote in message
|news:...
|> I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a
|> satisfactory answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too
|> now have this problem:
|>
|> "There is a file in the root directory with a very cryptic name 30
|> (apparently random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's sole
|> subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named update.
|> SP2 has 2 files in it and update has 3 files. Can I delete this
|> small tree in the
|> root?"
|>
|> I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating I
|> can't delete these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root, all
|> of which contain a funny hex number folder, followed by either a
|> single folder named "SP2", or else immediately a folder called
|> "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in that - I did do a
|> successful SP2 install.
|>
|> Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk
|> under ACCESSORIES (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it
|> either.
|>
|> Thanks!
|> --
|> --
|> Regards -
|>
|> - Andrew
|>
|>
|

Just to add to Fishy's comments, he was probably talking about Kelly's Korner
Can't Delete a File or Folder in XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#del"



"Fishy" <<*(((({_~_~_~_@ocean.net> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi Andrew and others frustated by idiot folders in the root:
>
> I finally got mine deleted. It wasn't easy. Let's see if I can
> remember how I did it -- I think Kelly posted some instructions. I
> had to go into safe mode, then fiddle with taking ownership of the
> folder. I had to do something else, too -- opening some kind of a
> weird dialog box, navigating to an obscure tab, and using my account
> as fishy as administrator to add fishy as administrator to the list of
> users allowed to modify the folder. Once that was done, I myself,
> fishy as administrator, could delete the goddam folders. Sorry --
> fishy turning into a crab here.
>
> Hopefully these dim recollections of a nightmare will spur a more
> knowledgeable person to identify the precise steps involved. Sorry I
> can't give the steps myself -- I got it done and made a note to never,
> ever, attempt to download and install a service pack again. CD's
> only, please.
>
> <*((((><{
>
>
>
>
> In the last exciting episode on Thu, 11 Nov 2004 21:42:15 -0700,
> "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <> wrote:
>
> |Andrew;
> |These folders sound like the folders that are normally deleted after
> |an update.
> |Reboot then try.
> |Otherwise delete them from Safe Mode:
> |Reboot tapping F8 each second
> |Select Safe Mode at the menu.
> |
> |--
> |Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> |http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
> |
> |
> |"Andrew" <> wrote in message
> |news:...
> |> I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a
> |> satisfactory answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too
> |> now have this problem:
> |>
> |> "There is a file in the root directory with a very cryptic name 30
> |> (apparently random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's sole
> |> subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named update.
> |> SP2 has 2 files in it and update has 3 files. Can I delete this
> |> small tree in the
> |> root?"
> |>
> |> I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating I
> |> can't delete these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root, all
> |> of which contain a funny hex number folder, followed by either a
> |> single folder named "SP2", or else immediately a folder called
> |> "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in that - I did do a
> |> successful SP2 install.
> |>
> |> Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk
> |> under ACCESSORIES (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it
> |> either.
> |>
> |> Thanks!
> |> --
> |> --
> |> Regards -
> |>
> |> - Andrew
> |>
> |>
> |
>

Taurarian wrote:
> Just to add to Fishy's comments, he was probably talking about
> Kelly's Korner Can't Delete a File or Folder in XP
> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#del"
>
>
>
> "Fishy" <<*(((({_~_~_~_@ocean.net> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi Andrew and others frustated by idiot folders in the root:
>>
>> I finally got mine deleted. It wasn't easy. Let's see if I can
>> remember how I did it -- I think Kelly posted some instructions. I
>> had to go into safe mode, then fiddle with taking ownership of the
>> folder. I had to do something else, too -- opening some kind of a
>> weird dialog box, navigating to an obscure tab, and using my account
>> as fishy as administrator to add fishy as administrator to the list
>> of users allowed to modify the folder. Once that was done, I myself,
>> fishy as administrator, could delete the goddam folders. Sorry --
>> fishy turning into a crab here.
>>
>> Hopefully these dim recollections of a nightmare will spur a more
>> knowledgeable person to identify the precise steps involved. Sorry I
>> can't give the steps myself -- I got it done and made a note to
>> never, ever, attempt to download and install a service pack again. CD's
>> only, please.
>>
>> <*((((><{
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> In the last exciting episode on Thu, 11 Nov 2004 21:42:15 -0700,
>> "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <> wrote:
>>
>>> Andrew;
>>> These folders sound like the folders that are normally deleted after
>>> an update.
>>> Reboot then try.
>>> Otherwise delete them from Safe Mode:
>>> Reboot tapping F8 each second
>>> Select Safe Mode at the menu.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>>> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
>>>
>>>
>>> "Andrew" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a
>>>> satisfactory answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too
>>>> now have this problem:
>>>>
>>>> "There is a file in the root directory with a very cryptic name 30
>>>> (apparently random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's sole
>>>> subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named update.
>>>> SP2 has 2 files in it and update has 3 files. Can I delete this
>>>> small tree in the
>>>> root?"
>>>>
>>>> I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating I
>>>> can't delete these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root, all
>>>> of which contain a funny hex number folder, followed by either a
>>>> single folder named "SP2", or else immediately a folder called
>>>> "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in that - I did do a
>>>> successful SP2 install.
>>>>
>>>> Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk
>>>> under ACCESSORIES (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it
>>>> either.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>> --
>>>> --
>>>> Regards -
>>>>
>>>> - Andrew

Thanks folks - I'll give this a shot next time I have more than 5 minutes at
the computer and report back.
--
--
Regards -

- Andrew

Andrew wrote:
> Taurarian wrote:
>> Just to add to Fishy's comments, he was probably talking about
>> Kelly's Korner Can't Delete a File or Folder in XP
>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#del"
>>
>>
>>
>> "Fishy" <<*(((({_~_~_~_@ocean.net> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Hi Andrew and others frustated by idiot folders in the root:
>>>
>>> I finally got mine deleted. It wasn't easy. Let's see if I can
>>> remember how I did it -- I think Kelly posted some instructions. I
>>> had to go into safe mode, then fiddle with taking ownership of the
>>> folder. I had to do something else, too -- opening some kind of a
>>> weird dialog box, navigating to an obscure tab, and using my account
>>> as fishy as administrator to add fishy as administrator to the list
>>> of users allowed to modify the folder. Once that was done, I
>>> myself, fishy as administrator, could delete the goddam folders.
>>> Sorry -- fishy turning into a crab here.
>>>
>>> Hopefully these dim recollections of a nightmare will spur a more
>>> knowledgeable person to identify the precise steps involved. Sorry
>>> I can't give the steps myself -- I got it done and made a note to
>>> never, ever, attempt to download and install a service pack again.
>>> CD's only, please.
>>>
>>> <*((((><{
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In the last exciting episode on Thu, 11 Nov 2004 21:42:15 -0700,
>>> "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Andrew;
>>>> These folders sound like the folders that are normally deleted
>>>> after an update.
>>>> Reboot then try.
>>>> Otherwise delete them from Safe Mode:
>>>> Reboot tapping F8 each second
>>>> Select Safe Mode at the menu.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>>>> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Andrew" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:...
>>>>> I've seen this question posted many times, none of which has had a
>>>>> satisfactory answer. I've cut/pasted it below again, since I too
>>>>> now have this problem:
>>>>>
>>>>> "There is a file in the root directory with a very cryptic name 30
>>>>> (apparently random) characters starting with b6d200... . It's
>>>>> sole subdirectory is sp2, which itself has a sole subdir named
>>>>> update. SP2 has 2 files in it and update has 3 files. Can I
>>>>> delete this small tree in the
>>>>> root?"
>>>>>
>>>>> I've tried, and like everyone else, received a message indicating
>>>>> I can't delete these folders. I have about 30 of them in my root,
>>>>> all of which contain a funny hex number folder, followed by
>>>>> either a single folder named "SP2", or else immediately a folder
>>>>> called "UPDATE" with just UPDATE.EXE in that - I did do a
>>>>> successful SP2 install.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any way to delete (if I should) these folders? The clean up disk
>>>>> under ACCESSORIES (I think that's where it was) doesn't do it
>>>>> either.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>> --
>>>>> --
>>>>> Regards -
>>>>>
>>>>> - Andrew
>
> Thanks folks - I'll give this a shot next time I have more than 5
> minutes at the computer and report back.
> --

As a result of viewing the referenced webpage, I did find (via Windows HELP)
the idea to drag the folders from my 'c' Windows explorer window to SHARED
FOLDERS folder, and then indeed I could delete them from there. Ended up in
the recycled bin which I then could empty.

Thanks for the pointer!

--
--
Regards -

- Andrew