Can't delete this file.

**MoonMan** · January 28th, 2005, 09:18 PM

Alright, today I found a new file on my desktop. Judging from the file name, it seemed as if my brother tried to update one of my games. Don't worry, it is a bought copy and you need to update once and a while to use the online services.

Thing is, my brother isn't too bright when it comes to computers. What's worse is I am *SURE* I made it perfectly clear that he is to NEVER download from unknown sources, and especially .exe programs. Not only did he ignore his better judgement, but he is putting my computer at risk. Now, it seems, I cannot delete the freakin' file. It says there is a "sharing violation", but I can't find the process in the Task Manager.

I did a quick virus scan from the online housecall service to my desktop (where the file is), and none showed up. Can someone help me out ?

**wonderboy2005** · January 28th, 2005, 09:57 PM

Did you try deleting it via command promt? I've been able to delete many files that were otherwise un-deletable that way. Otherwise, you might try booting from a dos disk, unless you're using NTFS - but Im sure there are NTFS boot disks out there as well. I know there are programs out there that will delete a file upon startup under the assumption that the file will not be in use.

Hope one of those methods works.

**ourthing2** · January 28th, 2005, 09:58 PM

did you try deleting it after rebooting?

**ourthing2** · January 28th, 2005, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by wonderboy2005

Im sure there are NTFS boot disks out there as well.

im pretty sure you can make one by inserting a floppy then going to my computer, right clicking the A:\ drive and selecting format then tic the Create an MS-DOS startup disk

**Undying Wizard NHD** · January 28th, 2005, 10:35 PM

I delete that stuff in safe mod ,,, try that

**Potato** · January 28th, 2005, 11:03 PM

moveonboot!

(but really, don't listen to me, I have used that program to delete stuff that was stubborn and annoying, but I don't know much at all, just a little simple suggestion)

**Undying Wizard NHD** · January 28th, 2005, 11:04 PM

window washer will delet things with no problem also

**infringer** · January 29th, 2005, 02:19 AM

Is it possible that the file is being shared by some p2p program running in the background.

One way to figure this out is to alt ctrl delete and take a look at your list of running processes if these seem out of the norm end task on that process also disable any filesharing programs as well that you may see on the list I have had a couple of instances when a filesharing application kept running even after I shut it down emule was a good one for this.

Also check the attributes of the file and see if it is marked as a shared file and read only file I would deselect the read only file and also if it is shared make it unshared...

Also be sure to restart your PC because maybe an install process or portion of the installation is in useage until reboot...

Finally make sure that you and the file has administrative privladges ...

hope that helps,

-infringer-

**g-smooth2k** · January 29th, 2005, 05:00 AM

Try deleting it manually using Command Prompt.

Most times you can delete stuff in C prompt when you can't delete directly in windows.

**simon_says_horrible** · January 29th, 2005, 05:27 AM

that happened to my PC this morning when i tried to delete .mov file.. I just went to Safe Mode and delete it.

**Auggie2k** · January 29th, 2005, 05:34 AM

well if its not a virus, dont worry about it! search the internet to find out where the file came from and if its safe to delete, start windows in safe mode, simple as...

**wingnut2600** · January 29th, 2005, 07:43 AM

I agree with the spud...

You could always also take the HDD out of the box and smash it with a sledgehammer ala Gallagher...

**mfgbypooter** · January 29th, 2005, 08:34 AM

I think I'd delete the freakin game.
Do an uninstall -reboot- reinstall.

Then I'd update the game myself and then tell brother
that if he does that crap again that I would delete him!

**Lehk** · January 29th, 2005, 08:37 AM

If you are using NTFS and safe mode doesn't work, the latest version of knoppix can mount an NTFS drive with read/write, supposedly it actually uses the ntfs.sys file from windows to get perfect compatability.