Phantom File in Downloads Folder?
Angie:
Magicmoon, I did what you suggested, but the extensions are still not showing up. Here are the names of the files:
CA2VKLMF.
CA6VYHAX.
CA183YZ9.
CAEZO1E3.
CAMR0VNG.
CAQDCNAD.
CARTVMY.
I pulled up the properties for each file. Next to "Type of File", they are just described as "File." "Size" is 0 bytes. Everything else is blank. They were all last modified in August 2005. That's about all the information I could find.
Pes, I am running chkdsk right now. I'll post an update when it is finished.
ETA: The chkdsk is finished. It did not report any errors.
2nd edit: I get the same error when I try to delete any of the files listed above.
Magicmoon:
When you enabled the showing of extensions, did you go into any of your other folders to see if the extensions are now showing for those files? If not, then it didn't 'take' and you need to go back and try again to enable it. If the extensions are showing for files in other folders, then read on.
I did searches on all of these, and came up empty. Usually, but not always, file names that are spyware or viruses will show up in the search engines.
The fact that all of the names start with CA probably means something, but at this point I don't know exactly what.
I notice that you end each filename with a period. Does this period actually show up now when looking at the file? Whenever I drop the extension from the filename, but leave in the period when renaming it, the period dissappears. If yours is showing, then I'm sure that some type of extension is actually there, even if it isn't showing up. (For example; take the file readme.txt and rename it to readme. (with the period, just removing the 'txt'). After you hit enter, the file will be called 'readme', not 'readme.' (with the period)
Will Windows let you:
rename the download folder?rename any of the files?change the attributes on these files so that they are neither read-only nor hidden?
If it lets you do any of the above, try deleting after you have renamed them. Probably won't work, but it has worked on occasion for me.
Else, boot into safe mode. Then try deleting the files one at a time, finishing with the Downloads folder if it lets you delete the files within.
Flamingo:
Hmm. What happens when you open the file? I'm guessing you'll be asked what type of program you'd like to view it in. If so, view it with Notepad. If there is nothing there, just type anything and save the file. If there is something there, go to Edit - Select All and delete everything. Then type something and save.
I don't know that this will do much of anything, but it can't possibly break the files any more than they are. I don't even know that you'd be able to open the file.
Disclaimer: I have not experienced this problem and have no idea what I am talking about.
Angie:
I checked other folders and the extensions are showing on other files (for example, ".txt", ".png").
The periods are actually showing up on the end of each filename.
Windows will let me rename the Downloads folder, however, it will not let me rename the files. When I try to, it gives me another error:
Cannot rename file: Cannot read from the source file or disk.
I get a similar error when I try to change the attributes.
I'll try the safe mode thing later. Thanks for your help with this!
Flamingo: I tried opening the file with notepad, and it gave me another error, basically saying that it could not find the file. WTF, I just clicked on the file?!? Sorry, this is just really annoying.
witch:
If your checkdisk was fine, why not search and download a piece of software called 'Killbox'. That might allow you to delete these weird files and folders. Did you try in Safemode yet?
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