UGN Security Forums UGN Security: Knowledge Base Operating Systems Windows & Windows Security recycle bin

I was wondering if anyone has ever had this problem or knows what causes it:

My recylce bin shows nothing to be in it after I empty it, and yet the icon shows it to have something in it. AND when I go back to the "empty" folder and click 'empty recycle bin' it asks me if I would like to delete WINDOWS. When I click 'yes' it makes the sound when you empty it yet nothing actaully happens cause WINDOWS doesnt get deleted and the icon still shows something to be in there.

I have xpSP2. registry mechanic didtnt seem to pick anything up and its an old problem ive had.

Doesnt anyone here know what this weird business is all about. I think its just windows glitching (like thats new).
Ive defraged and all that cleaning stuff like norton virus scan and adaware and stuff and still no results. I could just wait for longhorn or if it gets to frustrating then Ill just format.

Do you have Norton installed on your computer ? If so you must disable the Norton Protected Recycle Bin" feature before you can empty the recycle bin.

If you don't have it, boot to DOS mode and type:

deltree c:\recycled

Thi deletes the entire directory and answer 'yes' to the subsequent prompt. It will be recreated on the next boot. Windows recycle bin will not be in a working state when you get back into windows. You'll need to then throw away a copy of file into it and then 'empty' the bin using the right click context menu choice. At this time you will be asked if you really want to delete x+1 files? x being the number of the files that were in the bin before you deleted it. Click yes and THEN you have a working, usable bin again.

Hope this helps.

I carnt boot into DOS.. what do I need to do to get that option?

Reboot your computer and press F8 at the loading screen. You should be at the the OS selection screen. Press F8 again, and it will take you to the advanced boot options screen. Select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt," and when windows loads, log in under "Administrator".

Use THIS to create a Windows98 system bootdisk, and boot from it. I don't know if you're allowed to delete the recycle bin directory if you're in safe mode.

yeah, thats what I did before (shadows way) and it didnt allow it. I dont think I can have DOS, on xp. They are phasing it out. But I think I know what digital is talking about. Ill give it a go later. I just got the biggest mental twist. Its 3am and I just woke up and dont feel the least bit tired.

cool it worked

you'd think that if it lets you delete explorer.exe, it'd let you delete the recycle bin...

I've got the same problem could you please send an email to me of how to get rid of or delete ow.exe


thanks

Is this what you mean?
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_107243.htm

Until we know more about the program, we can't help. Download Hijack This! , and post a log file.

PS: We don't email quick fixes here. Either watch the boards, or request a PM. If you're too lazy to come back to check for an answer, then you don't get any help (however, you can tell the server to email you when there is a reply )