Copying files that are "in use"

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stuck
  • Start date Start date
S

Stuck

I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. after copying
4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file in use. Is there a way
I can override this to allow copying files in use? Thought this would be
simple.... Thanks.
 
Stuck said:
I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. after
copying
4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file in use. Is there a
way
I can override this to allow copying files in use? Thought this would be
simple.... Thanks.
Click to expand...

If you are trying to back up your system files you can't do this from within
Windows except while using a special type of program. Data files should
always be able to be copied within Windows Explorer if no other programs are
open.

Acronis True Image and other programs are available to backup system files
to clone the system drive in case of catastrophic failures.
 
I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. after copying
4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file in use. Is there a way
I can override this to allow copying files in use? Thought this would be
simple.... Thanks.
Click to expand...

Windows is programmed to prevent standard file operations
on any file currently loaded (and perhaps some other essential
Windows system files: this is so as to prevent your knocking
down the ladder while standing atop it) so you must use a
non-Windows tool to copy these files, e.g. the free utility at
www.xxcopy.com
 
I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. after
copying
4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file in use. Is there a
way
I can override this to allow copying files in use? Thought this would be
simple.... Thanks.

========================

Which files are you trying to copy?


--
Regards,
Touch Base
Report back on the results, good or bad so others may benefit

"There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy
to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know
how to use my telephone."
(Bjarne Stroustrup)
 
Stuck said:
Windows is programmed to prevent standard file operations
on any file currently loaded (and perhaps some other essential
Windows system files: this is so as to prevent your knocking
down the ladder while standing atop it) so you must use a
non-Windows tool to copy these files, e.g. the free utility at
www.xxcopy.com
Click to expand...

Really? Which flags? Any chance you have a bulltetin number? I don't
see any such ability listed in Help to let it do so.

Twayne
 
Stuck said:
Windows is programmed to prevent standard file operations
on any file currently loaded (and perhaps some other essential
Windows system files: this is so as to prevent your knocking
down the ladder while standing atop it) so you must use a
non-Windows tool to copy these files, e.g. the free utility at
www.xxcopy.com
Click to expand...

PS - Never mind; apparently you're referring to /clone, but that doesn't
create a bootable disc for anything but 98, which was my recollection I
mistook for files in use. I do think it works on in use files, though
I'm not certain. It can't touch the MBR and a couple other details I've
forgotten so it's not really a good choice for backup if you're going to
a different disk or machine or unless you know how to set things up
manually that clone doesn't do, as in set the MBR (Master Boot Record).
I think I'd recommend ntbackup, native to XP Home & Pro over xxcopy
for an OS backup. OTOH though, you simply can not beat xxcopy for power
& speed! It is fantastic! I use it for my instant-very-important
backups and for revision control via batches. I don't even think about
xcopy anymore.

Cheers,

Twayne




Twayne
 
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