Help needed with File Deletion!

[Big Al.]

Hi Guy's, need some help please.
Downloaded Matrix II. not a bad film!.
Tried to delete it and I get a Window that appears and say's

Cannot delete it is being used by another person or program.

Now I'm the only one using the machine and there are no other programs running, that I can see.

Any idea as to what going on? Can I delete the file via DOS If so how?

I'm currently using XP Home.

TYIA.

[hut49]

If you're trying to delete while inside Windows Explorer make sure that the folder in which the file is located is closed - click the minus sign on the heirarcy level above the folder in which the file is held (in the left panel of the explorer window). Then expand the folder again to reveal the file you want to delete. That sometimes does it.

>> Edited by hut49 on Monday 29th December 11:27

[Big Al.]

Cheers Nick, Can't minimise window once file deletion has been selected!

[DanL]

Hmm - I'll give you the age old support answer! Restart the PC, and try and delete it. There may be a file lock knocking about somewhere that there shouldn't be. Restarting the PC will solve the problem if this is the case...

Hope this helps!

Dan

[Big Al.]

Nope, tried that!

[luca brazzi]

Had the same issue over the weekend with the same file.Some kind of deliberate coding, as its not even the Matrix video, is it?

Don't open explorer.

Open a DOS window in Accessories, and go to the folder, and delete the file by typing out the exact filename.
Let me know how you get on.
LB

[DustyC]

How about cutting the file and pasting it to the trash?

Or cutting it and not pasting it at all?

Saying that though its probably too big to cut.

Can you move the file?

[Big Al.]

luca brazzi said:

as its not even the Matrix video, is it? LB

Yes it is!


Bit of a numpty with dos

Gone into DOS prompt OK,

It's got c:/Documents and Settings/Alan Barton>

Cant' remenber what to do next!

Ed to Add:-

BTW bl**dy rude of me, forgot to say Steve and a happy New Year to you Steve! OH




>> Edited by Big Al. on Monday 29th December 12:26

[JamieBeeston]

one of my mates had the same issue with video files now wanting to delete.

you could try the dos approach, but first...

check you dont have thumbnails enabled... these can sometimes keep the file locked.. as it tries to scan and update.

in explorer, choose view.... and then details.

now try and delete...

if not, from dos...

cd path owherefilmis

dir

check to see what the filename is..

then

del filename.avi

HTH

[luca brazzi]

I'm pretty sure its a deliberate thing...to annoy users...but that's another issue.

Al, Merry Christmas to you too sir.

get a DOS window open (I'm a retard at DOS too)

change directories to get to the one with the video in it...using

"cd.." to go up a directory level
"cd" followed by the directory you want to go to
eg. cd steves files
get to the directory with the file to be deleted.

"dir" to list the contents of that directory
use "dir/p" if the list is very long and scrolls too quickly.

"del" followed by the name of the file.
you can probably get away with wildcarding the file a bit as its rather long....
del matrix*.avi or something similar
good luck AL
LB

[Big Al.]

No good guy;s dos prompt keeps defaulting to
c:/Documents and Settings/Alan Barton>

Cant' seem to get back to c prompt?

[ErnestM]

I know this is an absurd question, but - you do have administrative permissions on your PC, correct? Does anyone else?

ErnestM

[Big Al.]

ErnestM said:

I know this is an absurd question, but - you do have administrative permissions on your PC, correct? Does anyone else? ErnestM

Hello Ernest! how's the snow out there?

In all honesty I ain't sure. It's new but how would I check?

[FunkyNige]

If Windows is getting file info (on the left hand side of the window), it won't let you delete that file. Try selecting the file, waiting a few seconds for details (probably including a thumbnail preview) to appear, then deleting it.

or...

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del, stop any tasks that look a bit dodgy, then try deleting it.

[_DJ_]

Easiest way to delete it from cmd.exe is:

1) open a command prompt from the accessories folder
2) in the command prompt window type "del " (don't miss the space and not including the "'s )
3) Drag the file from explorer to the command prompt window (it will then enter the correct path the file for you)
4) Close the explorer window
5) Press return in the command prompt window

DJ


>> Edited by _DJ_ on Monday 29th December 22:31

[Big Al.]

Nige, Darren neither of those worked!

Dos just said invalid path!

Don't look like nuffin dodgey running, still won't delete though!

[Ballistic Banana]

Not broke another puter have you Al

Sorry not helping much.

Good luck

Simon

[Big Al.]

Not Yet!

P*xy file!

[FunkyNige]

Where abouts on your HD is it? If it's in a temporary folder you could try 'Emptytemp', I used that when I couldn't get rid of a big file in a temp folder that refused to go away.
Link

[Big Al.]

No, tried that last night, just in case anything was hanging onto it.

The file is in my download directory on the C drive.