Virus?

[peergin]

My computer has a folder with 2 sub-folders in my D:\ drive which I suspect are a virus:

Main folder: 3aea37ea95fd6099cbd25d

2 subfolders: amd64 and i386.

If I try to delete the main folder, D:\Removable Disk\Recycle Bin-temporary\3aea37ea95fd6099cbd25d, an error message appears which says: Cannot delete amd64: Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

None of that applies.

Deleting sub-folder amd64 also does not work. The message reads: D:\Removable Disk\Recycle Bin-temporary\3aea37ea95fd6099cbd25d\amd64 is not accessible. Access is denied.

Deleting the second sub-folder, i386, does not work either. An identical message appears (except ”amd64” now reads ”i386”) and access is not possible.

Even deleting D:\Removable Disk\Recycle Bin-temporary does not work. Again the same message appears.

I have tried everything I could think of:

-Malwarebytes Pro does not ”see” it.

-avast! Internet Security (also PRO) doesn’t either.

-FileASSASSIN does not see it and consequently cannot delete or unlock it.

-CCleaner’s Uninstall function does not list it and neither does

-Windows’ Add or Remove Programs.

Searching the Internet (searching for: 3aea37ea95fd6099cbd25d) I found may be a dozen websites relating to this problem, including one from Microsoft. It appeared that it is an old, well-known problem. Those websites offered solutions, some too complicated for me and 1 or 2 with easier solutions. Unfortunately I did not have time to try and solve my problem that day. I went back to those websites the next day or so I thought. To my surprise there was not one website left that I had found the previous day. Even now, 5 days later, they do not exist.

This stubborn folder interferes with my external back-up hard disk. Backing-up works only a few minutes. Then it stops and freezes my computer until I discontinue the back-up procedure and exit from the external hard disk.

Is there a learned lady (or gentleman) who knows how to solve this problem? I will be grateful for any help. Thank you!

[RichCor]

1. What OS is your PC running?

2. Is the D:\ drive a separate HardDrive, a second partition on the main HardDrive, a USB HardDrive or ThumbDrive; or an OpticalDrive like a DVD/RW?

Since this is "D:\Removable Disk\Recycle Bin-temporary" it's probably not a virus, but portions of left-over code from a recently installed application (where the installer is extracted to temporary drive memory then automatically deleted after use.

I'd guess the recycle bin on your d:\ drive is corrupted.

Google searches for corrupted D:\Removable Disk\Recycle Bin-temporary might lead to some offer of help.

[RandomSand]

Copy everything you want to keep from your D: drive to your backup, delete all other recycle bins that exist on other drives, and then format D:

an alternative:

try this tool to allow access http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/

[Gregory Morozov]

These folders are the remains of some Windows updates, and they have wrong permission set on them, that's why you cannot delete them. Correct the permissions, then delete.

Sent from my Desire HD using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JSixpack]

Farang think too mut.

Leave them folders alone. Somebody's trying to tell you something.

You scanned your whole drive for viruses and your virus program didn't find any. So, relax; eat.

[schondie]

These are hidden folders that aren't viruses. If you use Windows 7 you can press Start - then type "hidden" and then you'll see "Show hidden files and folders". Click on that and then click on "Don't show hidden files, folders or drives".

That's it, job done and then don't worry about them anymore.

[peergin]

I apologise for not responding sooner. The reason is that I was (and still am) very, very busy. My thanks to all of you. In reply to everybody:

RichCor:

1) OS is XP Professional V 2002 SP 3.

2) The D:\ drive is the second partition on the main HardDrive.

3) ”D:\Removable Disk\Recycle Bin-temporary” is not a Windows folder but a folder that I have installed myself. I park things there if I am not 100% sure yet that I want to move them to the Windows ”Recycle Bin.” Therefore, I think it is not some left-over code from a recently installed application.

4) Google searches won’t help because I was the one who gave this folder the name ”Removable Disk\Recycle Bin-temporary.”

5) I have no idea where this obnoxious folder 3aea37ea95fd6099cbd25d came from. Actually, this is the second time it is there. The first time I could not open the 2 sub-folders but I was able to delete the main folder without difficulty. Unfortunately not this time.

6) Meanwhile, I may have made some progress: I have earlier tried to kill it with FileASSASSIN. That did not work but RandomSand kindly suggested I use UNLOCKER (1.9.1.) which I did. (See under.) That deleted the main folder and moved the 2 sub-folders (amd64 and i386) to the Windows Recycle Bin. However, the Recycle Bin will not delete the 2 sub-folders. The error message reads: Cannot remove folder Dd96: Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use. That is for i386. Sub-folder amd64 generates the same message except it says: Cannot remove folder Dd97.

A search with AGENT RANSACK 2 shows both sub-folders at: D:\RECYCLER\S-1-5-21-1343024091-1417001333-1801674531-500\ but AGENT RANSACK will not delete either Dd96 or Dd97. Again the message reads: Cannot remove folder Dd96 (or Dd97): Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

7) AGENT RANSACK shows that the 2 sub-folders are at D:\RECYCLER\ but Windows Explore does NOT show D:\RECYCLER\! However, the function EXPLORE HERE (right click) in AGENT RANSACK does list D:\RECYCLER\.

I don’t know what to do now! Reverse what UNLOCKER did or try to delete D:\RECYCLER\ ?

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RandomSand:

Your suggestion to backup drive D:\ and then format it seemed eminently sensible. I tried it (without deleting the Windows Recycle Bin) but it won’t format. It said: ”Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents of the drive. Then try formatting again.” I closed everything I could find and then used UNLOCKER 1.9.1 as you suggested. That showed me a whole list of items (see attachment) that I do not dare to un-lock. So, I am stuck here. Do you know how to proceed?

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Gregory Morozov:

Thank you for your advice. However, for your information:

1) I have not updated my Windows.

2) If they were the remains of some Windows updates, how can they be in drive D:\ and in a folder (”D:\Removable Disk\Recycle Bin-temporary”) which I installed myself?

3) As for correcting the permissions, I suppose I would have to open the sub-folders, which is impossible. (”Properties” does not show a function for permissions.)

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JSixpack:

I think you have a fine sense of humour. I enjoyed reading your message, Unfortunately I cannot do what you suggest (see final paragraph).

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schondie:

I am using XP. It has the same functions (show and don’t show) albeit it in a different place. However, I have not tried your suggestion yet because UNLOCKER deleted the main folder and moved the 2 sub-folders to the Windows Recycle Bin. I wonder though whether they were hidden folders because they were plainly visible in my D:\ drive.

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This pernicious piece of rubbish won’t let me create backups on my external hard disk. It stops the process after only a few minutes and then also locks my computer until I exit from my external hard disk. So, I must find a solution. I will be very grateful if anyone can help me further. Thank you so much!

Unlocker listing.doc

[JetsetBkk]

I have similar folders on my C: drive, but the long name is different.

They are - as Gregory said - left over folders from an update:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951847/en-us

[Chicog]

1) I have not updated my Windows.

[RichCor]

RandomSand:

Your suggestion to backup drive D:\ and then format it seemed eminently sensible. I tried it (without deleting the Windows Recycle Bin) but it won’t format. It said: ”Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents of the drive. Then try formatting again.” I closed everything I could find and then used UNLOCKER 1.9.1 as you suggested. That showed me a whole list of items (see attachment) that I do not dare to un-lock. So, I am stuck here. Do you know how to proceed?

If you believe you have a functional backup of the desired contents of your d: drive, then run a Partition Manager / Drive Utility to free up that partition, then recreate the partition.

I usually use a bootable Live Linux CD or Pen/Thumb Drive and run a drive utility from there.

I've have few issues with Win7, but the one I run into the most is its refusal to delete folders because I lack permissions, yet I can open the folder and wipe the contents then delete the folder. Stupid permissions management.

Too bad you can't right-click the recycle bin and recover deleted files to their previous state.