C: help

[RogerS]

I'm trying to clean out an old NAS file server (XP embedded) and would prefer to delete the folders etc directly from the C prompt. The Data is on the D drive but I've forgotten what the commands are. There are a load of directories. Is there a different command to delete a directory as oposed to a file?

And to override any locked files, read-only files etc?

I thought deltree would work but it says not recognised

Thanks

 

[xy mosian]

Try Help at the C:> prompt, this should list available commands.

C:>Help


xy

 

[TonyW]

Have you used the CD command to point to D drive?
e.g. CD D:\

Deltree should work I would have thought

deltree d:\mydirectory

Cheers
Tony

 

[head clansman]

hi

if your using windows xp you need to go to the widows c:\ dos prompt in all programs look up accessories you should find you not at the c: prompt try cd c:\ when there try cd d:\ then typ dir *.* find the file required and do the business . hc

 

[xy mosian]

I have just been playing. Entering 'cmd' in the Run text box brings up cmd.exe. This works in a slightly different way to Programs - Accessories - Command Prompt. At least on my XP machine.

However. Enter 'cmd' into the Run text box.
At the promt d:
D:>
See <DIR>'s and files
D:>dir

Now I had a problem with a folder name having a space
D:>Tree Loose Apps - did not work
However
D:>Tree "Loose Apps" - did work

When I typed in
D:>DEL "Loose Apps"
I got
D:>Loose Apps\*, Are you Sure (Y/N)?

Is this what you are after?

By the way Loose Apps is just the name of the folder I was playing with, substitute as required.


xy

EDIT (after about 5 minutes)
The instructions above didn't work for me, sorry. But this did.
At the D:> prompt
D:>RMDIR "Loose Apps" - will say the folder is not empty

D:>RMDIR /s "Loose Apps" - will ask for confirmation, in my case it worked.
/s includes all subfolders.

If this does not work look at permissions.

xy

 

[RobertMP]

RMDIR is what you are looking for - replaced deltree in the XP DOS emulator.

Found this that looks useful....

http://www.infocellar.com/winxp/DOS-with-XP.htm

Don't know if you need to unset attributes if hidden files are present but Attrib should sort that.

 

[RogerS]

Thanks, xy....being upset by spaces was one litte gremlin that caught me out.

Will also try the help command. Long time since I used the C prompt.

 

[xy mosian]

Please see edit to earlier reply


xy

 

[Kalimna]

If what I remember from my old DOS days (ahhh, those times of re-jigging memory allocation in config.sys/autoexec.bat, IRQ/DMA settings etc.....), then 'RD <dir_name>' should work too. Though I can't remember if you need to empty the directory first.
Also, '<command> /?' should help out with any arguments for that command.

Hope that helps, and hope I remembered correctly!

Adam S

 

[cambournepete]

Rd /s /q
remove directory, recursive, quiet

 

[RogerS]

Thanks guys. All sorted.

Are there any free 'shred-it' type programs out there? Bit reluctant to buy Shredit as I'll only use it the once.

 

[xy mosian]

Eraser is free, and worth looking at.


http://eraser.heidi.ie/



xy

 

[RogerS]

Thanks, xy.