files in use that aren't in use

[Adam]

ive found a couple of files that wont be changed or
deleted.... when i try i recive an error claiming there
in use by another person or program , but the files i try
to delete shouldnt be active. Ive tried going to task
manager and stopping all processes that will let me
stop , disconnecting the internet , stopping all programs
but explorer, and resetting.... the files ive had this
occur with seem to be media type files , one was a
drawing i scanned into the computer(a .jpg), and the
other was some media files (.avi, or mpeg).... sometimes
in time i can delete them , like if i wait a while before
trying again , or reset a couple times.... but one in
particular has never allowed me to delete it... Do i have
some sort of virus? i scanned with norton , and it says i
dont ... any help with this matter is appreciated..
Thanks again ,
Adam

 

[David Candy]

It probably explorer holding them open while it generates a preview. The jpg must have been slightly corrupted or unusually very large. But it's common with large avi files. It stupidly reads the entire file, which means it's still reading it long after anyone stopped caring.

Stop explorer if you can't wait and delete it in the command prompt (or use a file open window to find it and r/c delete - although this might start the preview process).

 

[BruceM]

Naa, that's just XP trying to show your wife what you've been looking at!
Everyone is having the same trouble from what I can work out. (including me)
Sometimes logging out & back in will release it. (Mine will do so WITHOUT
dropping internet on dialup).
Other times it takes a reboot.
Still other times it takes a safemode boot.
&, yes, like you I have one which I can't delete. It is a folder that had
some files in it. I deleted the files one by one until all gone but still
can't delete the folder. I suspected a hidden system file but after unhiding
all , I can see nothing in there. Gave up & decided to live with it till
next format & re-install!!
BruceM