HOWTO: Access Recycled directory. Also, how to use DIR & ATTRIB.

The Problem
You want to access your Recycled directory. or you want a demonstration of how to use the Dir and Attrib commands.


Description
A CFC member had to access the Recycled directory to delete a newly released virus (June 2002). Normally, you cannot see the recycled directory. And normally, you cannot see its files or delete them.

This will use the DOS commands Dir (Directory) and Attrib (Show/Change file attributes).


Procedure:

1. Boot into DOS mode (do not boot to Windoze)

2. Use a non-inflected floppy to boot, if at all possible (BORROW one, if you have to) !!!

3. Change to the c: drive, type:
c:

4. To see the recyled directory , type:
dir /ah /p /v

5. Change to the recycled directory:
cd recycled

6. See what is in the directory:
dir /ah /p /v

7. Decide what you wanna kill.



8. To delete, you need the attrib command (use "attrib /?" for help); start with:
attrib

9. To the left of the filename will be one or more of the following letters RASHD. Lets get the ones that matter - type:

attrib -r -s -h FILENAME.TXT

(Obviously, you change FILENAME.TXT to the file you are after!)


10. Now do a plain dir command:
dir

11. You should now see the file you wanna delete - type:
del FILENAME.TXT

12. File should be gone.

13. Repeat for any other files you want gone.



Caveats

1. Always keep your critical data backed up.

2. Be sure of your keystrokes, particularly before deleting.


Rev 1.00, 27Jun02