Can't Delete A File

[bulio]

hi guys,

I was downloading a file off bt, when I stopped it like two minutes after startup of the download, and now I can't delete the file. Everytime that I try to it says the source file may be in use. It is not archived, or read-only. It was adobe photoshop cs. How do I delete the file? I am using windows me btw.

And, If I re-format my computer again, will the reformat process be fukked because I cannot delete this file?

thx,

bulio

[Mad Cat]

No, reformatting from a bootdisk will be fine.


Anyway, just turn the BitTorrent client off first.

[hungrylilboy]

if u still cant delete it and it says that the file is still in use and its an avi, theres another thread on here somewhere with a registry entry that u just remove and it lets u delete the file and solve the problem. sorry havent got time to find it now. leave another message if u cant find it and i will post the link later.

edit 1

Avi files (divx) can be trouble in xp. there is a fix to let xp behave much better so it's possible to move or delete large avi files. The obnoxious bug in XP that causes Explorer to read the entire contents of broken AVI files before allowing any access to them is caused by bad behavior of shmedia.dll.

To correct this misbehavior in Windows XP, remove the following
registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}InProcServer32

This will prevent Explorer from loading shmedia.dll in response to file property queries on these files.

Just an extra note, if you do a "search" for this key it will not be found, look for it manually it is very easy to find. As always newbie or not, if you FUBAR your registry its your own fault. This fix does work, I use it and have applied it to many XP machines. Now go ahead and fix this royal pain in the ass!

Edit 2.

If u arent confortable messing about with your registry go here (http://www.home.no/k-lite/XP-AVIFIX.inf) and install this fix. Works a treat
When u have download it, right click and select install

[bulio]

bittorrent is not on, and it is a .exe not avi

[ck-uk]

Go into safe mode ,f8 when your pc boots up ,n delete it m8

or dos

[Triadcool]

Or you can try using cmd to delete it.

[J'Pol]

1. Left click and drag to recycle bin, should work.

2. If not restart windows then try again.

3. If not open a "dos" (depending on version of windows) box and delete the file name. Navigate to the correct folder and type del filename.exe

If you have powertoys installed you should be able to right click on the folder and open a command prompt at that folder.

You should not have to feck about with registry entries or anything complex like that.

No, it will not effect a format.

[Izagaia]

Originally posted by J'Pol@13 April 2004 - 14:57
2. If not restart windows then try again.


Reboot and then delete. That is it. Usually that is all I ever need to do to nix an annoying file that is being persistant in staying on my system after I try deleting it.

I read somewhere else that it usually has to do with another application (explorer, I think) not completely relinquishing control or reporting that it is still using the file. Something along those lines.

[clocker]

I have good sucess with FreeFile. (http://www.soft32.com/download_4732.html)
This little app will identify and terminate any processes that may be grabbing onto your file and preventing it's deletion.

[Dray_04]

Originally posted by ck-uk@14 April 2004 - 04:27
Go into safe mode ,f8 when your pc boots up ,n delete it m8

or dos
safe mode 4 sure ;)