Notices
Computer & Technology Related Post here for help and discussion of computing and related technology. Internet, TVs, phones, consoles, computers, tablets and any other gadgets.

how do u delete a file in XP pro that wont delete?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 26 October 2005 | 11:25 AM
  #1  
^OPM^'s Avatar
^OPM^
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 0
From: just simple old me
Default how do u delete a file in XP pro that wont delete?

I have just downloaded a video clip on my comp but came to delete it and it just says the program is in use by something else-even started under safe mode and still it wont delete-im using XP pro how else can i get this file deleted-my virus checker comes up clean on it btw

any help?
Old 26 October 2005 | 11:49 AM
  #2  
InvisibleMan's Avatar
InvisibleMan
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,583
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

those p0rn clips are really hard to delete arent they...
Old 26 October 2005 | 11:55 AM
  #3  
InvisibleMan's Avatar
InvisibleMan
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,583
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

any info in the properties? in the attributes has it got a option for 'unblock' tick it if its there. Also permissions for this file? or a reboot
Old 26 October 2005 | 11:58 AM
  #4  
Luminous's Avatar
Luminous
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 0
From: Muppetising life
Default

I've not had to deal with one of these for ages. Normally a trip into safe mode sorts it, but for us this has not been the case I guess they have become more adept at writing these fake files.

A few things spring to mind

1) You cannot be the only one with this problem, type the problem into Google and see what you come up with
2) There is a little utility called "Who Locked Me", and now apparantly Freefile too. See here: http://adminfoo.net/node/102/745 These should be able to tell you what is locking the file, and may help you in killing that process so you can delete it.
3) You can boot your machine from a DOS disk, mount your partition using NTFS for DOS and then navigate to the offending file and delete it. This last option is not a lot of fun, so try others first.

EDIT: The link for freefile does not work in the page I gave you, use this instead: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/freefile.html

Last edited by Luminous; 26 October 2005 at 12:01 PM.
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:00 PM
  #5  
^OPM^'s Avatar
^OPM^
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 0
From: just simple old me
Default






Originally Posted by InvisibleMan
those p0rn clips are really hard to delete arent they...
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:03 PM
  #6  
InvisibleMan's Avatar
InvisibleMan
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,583
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

sofar ive only had to do what ive said. If youve just downloaded it ive simply left it & sometime later its deleted ok. Also closing down any media prog, real etc disconnected the association (the prog the clip is using)
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:14 PM
  #7  
Luminous's Avatar
Luminous
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 0
From: Muppetising life
Default

Oooh, another thought!!

Your computer may well be trying to preview the clip you have. This can lock the file.

Open the folder where you file is, go to View, and then customise. Change it to documents so that it does not try to preview the file. This can give you a better chance to delete it

I've also had success using Nero !! of all things to delete files that windows trys to preview and ends up locking. Reboot, do not open the folder where the file is!! Go into Nero, naviagte to the file and then right click and delete. You will have to be in the original layour of Nero to do this I think.

Of course, other file browsers will be able to do this, not just Nero
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:19 PM
  #8  
^OPM^'s Avatar
^OPM^
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 0
From: just simple old me
Default

just used that program-wholocking me thingy to see what was locking it and it came up explorer.exe-but if i use ctrl+alt+del to end explorer.exe then i cant do anything on screen to delete the file then-bugger what else can i do

Originally Posted by Luminous
Oooh, another thought!!

Your computer may well be trying to preview the clip you have. This can lock the file.

Open the folder where you file is, go to View, and then customise. Change it to documents so that it does not try to preview the file. This can give you a better chance to delete it

I've also had success using Nero !! of all things to delete files that windows trys to preview and ends up locking. Reboot, do not open the folder where the file is!! Go into Nero, naviagte to the file and then right click and delete. You will have to be in the original layour of Nero to do this I think.

Of course, other file browsers will be able to do this, not just Nero
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:27 PM
  #9  
Luminous's Avatar
Luminous
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 0
From: Muppetising life
Default

Well now we know what is going wrong at least It is window's explorer itself attempting to preview the file that is causing you your problems.

Try the stuff in the box you quoted about, that should sort it
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:29 PM
  #10  
InvisibleMan's Avatar
InvisibleMan
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,583
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

have you rebooted & unplug the internet cable just to make sure

edited: forget that - youve gone into safemode...

do a format c:....

kidding...


unlike a collegue told the VP recently....

Last edited by InvisibleMan; 26 October 2005 at 12:32 PM.
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:36 PM
  #11  
InvisibleMan's Avatar
InvisibleMan
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,583
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

think i may have renamed it, opened the new one, closed it, deleted the old one.

or

made a copy of it & deleted the original one


sounds like deja moo? makes no sence man, true, but it works
thats pooter for you...they make no sence...
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:48 PM
  #12  
Chachi's Avatar
Chachi
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Default

If you get these in the future (corrupt files or whatever), there's a utility called moveonboot that you can download free from the Interweb, they also do one called deleteonboot.

These utils action the move or delete before windows can get a handle on the files.

Rich
Old 26 October 2005 | 12:53 PM
  #13  
^OPM^'s Avatar
^OPM^
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 0
From: just simple old me
Default

problem sorted used that delete on boot programme-damn good-that deleted it-thanks for help-now i got rid of that file i can go view my others-anyone got a box of tissues handy

Originally Posted by Chachi
If you get these in the future (corrupt files or whatever), there's a utility called moveonboot that you can download free from the Interweb, they also do one called deleteonboot.

These utils action the move or delete before windows can get a handle on the files.

Rich
Old 26 October 2005 | 01:01 PM
  #14  
InvisibleMan's Avatar
InvisibleMan
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,583
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

anyone got a box of tissues handy
i thought youve been trying to delete 'those' video clips
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pro-Line Motorsport
Car Parts For Sale
1
30 November 2015 06:52 PM
Ganz1983
Subaru
5
02 October 2015 10:22 AM
Pro-Line Motorsport
Car Parts For Sale
2
29 September 2015 08:36 PM
Pro-Line Motorsport
Car Parts For Sale
0
27 September 2015 12:21 PM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:17 AM.