"Cannot read from source file or disk"

This is Windows XP Home Edition running with Service Pack 2. While cleaning up my system today I found a folder very huge in size. This folder is of no use for me hence I thought to delete it to free up some space on my system. But when I try to delete the same, I get an error message saying something like:

"Cannot read from source file or disk" error.

Even restarting the system wont allow me to delete it. Any idea what is wrong and how can I get rid of the same? Please help.

Hello IpsA, there could be several reason that prevents you deleting any file or folder OR creates the said error. In such scenario, i will suggest you to go through the following articles to get helped:

You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320081

See: Invalid File Names here...
How to locate and correct disk space problems on NTFS volumes in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315688

How to Remove Files with Reserved Names in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/120716

How to Remove Files with Reserved Names in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315226

hi i have a 32gb usb flash drive using windows xp the file system on the flash drive is fat32 and wont format to ntfs. when i access the the flash drive by creating a folder or copy from pc to flash drive occasionally multiple i mean a numerous amount of folders and files are created with 0 byte files that i cannot delete including folders. so far the only way i have been able to delete is by copying to hd and formatting flash drive. my question is why does this creation happen and is there a better way to clean up the flash drive? copying back and forth is so time consuming and i never know when it may happen again over and over.CAN ANYONE HELP?

Buy a good quality flash drive, and not a cheap and nasty one

yeah i bidded on a 2gb flash for 5 bucks and got a 32gb instead so i guess your right:P~