Somehow someone created a file named '-ov' in the root directory.

Given the name, the how was probably the result of some cpio command they bozo'ed.

I've tried a number of different ways to get rid of it using * and ? wildcards, '\' escape patterns etc.. They all fail with " illegal option -- o or v" errors. It appears that the '-' dash is being treated as options to my rm command.

If the p.o.s. file was in most any other directory I'd just move everything else out to somewhere then blow away the directory and re-make it and begin the stuff back.

Can't really do that with the root directory <g>.

Anyone have any other ideas on how it can be make to go away?

System is an Esix System V Release 4 box but I don't think that matters.

Thanks.

Geo.

rm /-ov

you can also do this:

rm -- -ov

The -- after rm tells it to stop looking for options.

Thanks.
I used the rm /-ov.
I feel stupid (guess i am)<g>.
I just never tried the obvious.
G.