I can't seem to be able to delete this file that a user has created. It's a word document and if I try to open it, it says the file cannot be found, if I try and delete it, it says "cannot delete file: the filename you specified is invalid or too long. Specify a different filename." the file's called con.doc. I've tryed renaming it, tried deleting it with deltree, tried deleting it from dos every possible way I can think of. Tried running chkdsk /r from recovery console (cos it's the later version ntfs) and I still cant delete it!!! anyone got an idea?

I wondering whether the fact that the file is called con.doc is causing the cofusion as there is a system file called CON which is the screen. Have you tried using a wildcard character when trying to rename or delete the file? i.e. del ?on.doc or ren ???.doc junk.doc to see if that works. If no joy email me your email address and I'll send you a utility called renamer.exe which is only 40kbytes in size and runs in a command prompt window.

I too have a file called Con.****.xls on one of my file server's I have tried everything to get rid of it but it just does not seem to recognise that the file exists if you get the fix can you pass it on thanks

daveyg - I have emailed you a program called renamer.exe which may help, let me know if it does.

Maurice Would you be kind enough to email me this "rename.exe"prg ? I, too, have four files which I can't delete, rename, rightclick, wipe etc.. and one message once said "name is tooooo long"! TIA Venaissin