Problem deleting files on external drive

Running win7 64bit
Seagate 3tb expansion drive.. usb3

I've had problems several times, deleting files on the external drive mentioned above.
Finally had enough of it, and wanted to see if anyone here had an idea what is going on

Here is an example: navigate to the drive. Right click a folder and press delete.
I get an error dialog that says:

===================================
An unexpected error is keeping you from deleting the folder. If you contine
to receive this error, you can use the error code to search for help with this
problem.

Error Ox80070091 The directory is not empty.
====================================

The error message seems to indicate that its common
not to be able to delete a directory because something is in it
---- When did that start?---

Anyway, proceeding into the directory it turn out to be an
`System Volume Information' directory inside causing the problem.

I right clicked for it's properties.. selected `Security' tab and right away get a message that the
properties are `disordered' and gives me an opportunity to press a <reorder> button.
I do that, but then it won't let me save the change, and complains of disordered properties.
So the short and long is... I cannot see a way to get permission to delete.

Yes I am logged as administrator.

andrew129260 said:

1.) Copy the files on the drive to your pc. Then format the drive. Copy the file back.

Still an issue?

2.) Also try running a check disk on the drive. Right click the drive in computer-properties. Click tools tab. Click check now under error checking. Check both boxes. Click start. It might take awhile so be patient.

Windows will check the disk and see if any errors occur.

Well yeah, of course, that was my first thought too, just one little problem, I have over 1500 GB on that drive. and of course, a formatting will clear just about anything.

I'm asking here, about deleting, not fomatting.

Is there no way to override what ever security or other baloney is stopping the delete?

One other thing that comes to mind is plugging that drive into a linux box. I doubt if root on a linux box would be blocked. But if it is somehow related to ntfs filesystem... that might not work either.

andrew129260 said:

Ok, well you have to forgive me. It's hard for me to know what someones level of expertise is.

1.) Did you try to scan the drive for errors like I suggested?

Tried and failed to help before ever posting

2.) Linux live cd is a good option.

That would have been an excellent option ... and I'm sure would work.

3.) Another option is to take ownership of the files in the drive and see if that resolves the problem.

Tried and failed to help before ever posting.
Those URLs are very handy to have.

Number 2 in the list is, I think, a very sound option and I would advise it to anyone having such problems.

I found a little more convenient way to do something fairly similar. But it is only convenient because I happen to have a linux box running most of the time that has sshfs and fuse installed.

..(For anyone who is not familiar with sshfs... it mounts whatever portion you want of your windows box ..onto the linux box. that portion then acts like just another part of the linux box files and directories hierarchy.)

I found that mounting the windows box onto my linux setup with sshfs (fuse) allowed me to delete the files.

sshfs + fuse creates an environment very similar to the live linux cd that Andrew suggested, but with the convenience of not having to shut down the windows box... start the live cd (do the job) shut down the machine, remove cd. Boot windows back up. But like I mentioned, its only more convenient if you have a linux box running sshfs and fuse on hand.

It's an environment where the windows `rules of engagement' no longer apply. That is, most of windows normal mode of operation is ignored, and those of linux are employed.

In that situation the root user on the linux box is the boss of bosses and can over rule most things.
And in this case `root' was able to delete otherwise undelete-able files.

I would hazard a guess there would be some things still un-doable under sshfs that would be doable under a live cd. But none come to mind without experimenting....