file in use?

Jonny_p · #1 03-06-2004, 08:01 AM

hey...

for some reason xp wont let me delete a few files that are on my system, it keeps saying they are in use, even though i've tried deleting them in safe mode when there is nothing running that could be using the files, which are just general things i have downloaded, videos etc. i always keep trying them at different times and sometimes i can delete one of them, but that doesn't happen often.

any help appreciated

P4 2.53512MB PC2700/333MHz RAM
Radeon 9700 128 ddr
ACPI Uniprocessor PC
Windows XP Home SP1

Play_The_0dds · #2 03-06-2004, 12:42 PM

being you cant delete them in safe mode, try a spyware scan then try and delete.
http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10...ml?legacy=cnet
sometimes you can rename the files, or drag them and drop on the recycle bin. also you can right click the taskbar and select task manager or ctrl+alt+del will bring it up, look for odd processes, end them and see if you can delete the files.

Azn_tweaker · #3 03-06-2004, 01:01 PM

i have a folder i cant delete. it says it is in use by another user. but the folder is empty

i scan my pc or spyware and viruses and came up with nothing.

simbill · #4 03-06-2004, 04:54 PM

what files/folder are you trying to delete?

scouse · #5 03-06-2004, 05:34 PM

Do as KC said his directions should be fine, renaming your files that will not delete usually works. Right click the file and change it to .doc or what you want.

Or you can download http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/fr.../procexp.shtml the tool from there, it will tell you what app is open that is assciated with the file, then close the open app which will then allow to delete.
more information about it here
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;242131

or
look at this http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/13/4/13-4-17.shtml

Azn_tweaker · #6 03-06-2004, 06:42 PM

a folder called XEROX.. i dont even have that printer company.... when ever i reformat my PC i still get that empty folder...

Play_The_0dds · #7 03-06-2004, 06:53 PM

some of the print/fax services on xp are licensed/copy protected by XEROX, so you will have a folder because the os has XEROX stuff on it.

scouse · #8 03-06-2004, 06:55 PM

KC is correct..This folder is produced by XP everyone gets it it is of no worry and is zero bytes..

Azn_tweaker · #9 03-06-2004, 07:01 PM

O.. thanks scouse and known criminal

Jonny_p · #10 03-07-2004, 04:45 AM

turns out explorer.exe was using them (shitty windows!!!!!!!!!)

had to kill explorer then delete from dos prompt

at least i got them now and will know what to do in future, cheers for help guys

edit:

this has only helped highlight another problem which i have tried to forget about, a lot of the time when i delete things, i don't get the disk space back!

I think it has something to do with the fragmentation of my disk as in the analysis report it says i have 750,000 excess file fragments. If only defrag would actually get the job done! it always gets to about 27% then ends, saying that not all files could be defragged

any of u guys had anything like this before?

scouse · #11 03-07-2004, 02:59 PM

What defrag are you using? I have never came across this although others probably have..Have you tryed defragging using O&O they are great a bit expensive but i am sure they do a free 30 day trial?
Here it is click on try now for the trial It is an excellent tool highly recommended..

Also do a disc cleanup in accessories..