unable to delete file

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Guest

I have windows XP and I downloaded a video file, which turned out to be a
video file I did not want.
The system is running very slow now and when I go to delete this file an
error message appears which states this file is in use by another person or
programme.
So I ran a virus check and a few spyware files appeared which I deleted.
I then restarted the system in safe mode to try to delete this file but the
same error message appears.
Anyone got any suggestions

Thanks

Mark
 
It would be best to boot into Safe Mode, search for the file,
then delete it.

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315222&Product=winxp

How to Delete A File That Is Seemingly "Undeletable"
http://www.theeldergeek.com/delete_undeletable_file.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I have windows XP and I downloaded a video file, which turned out to be a
| video file I did not want.
| The system is running very slow now and when I go to delete this file an
| error message appears which states this file is in use by another person or
| programme.
| So I ran a virus check and a few spyware files appeared which I deleted.
| I then restarted the system in safe mode to try to delete this file but the
| same error message appears.
| Anyone got any suggestions
|
| Thanks
|
| Mark
 
Also if you right click on the file and create a shortcut highlight them both
then you are able to delete it, this doesn't always work, sometimes oyu have
to do it in Windows Explorer aswell, but usually creating a shortcut and
deleting them both usually works
 
Soz

I have tried everything you asked about thirty times still no joy.
do you have anymore suggestions as i dont want to re-format.

thanks again
 
tried this didnt work looks like i will have to fromat the drive and lose all
my work.

thanks anyway
 
Hi,
I had the same problem.I have a dell computer with xp home.
1.While booting up the computer hit the F8 button. That will bring you
into safe mode.
2.Then go to windows explorer and remove the file.
3.Then empty the trash bin.
4.Then re-start your computer.
I hope this helps.It worked for me.
Good Luck!
 
I have started the system in safe mode and tried to delete the file but still
no joy i have even open up CMD and then closed explorer through task manager.
however when i typed the following (E:>Del AVP Magic tricks) in CMD prompt it
could not find the file but the file is there alright.
thanks

Monty
 
In
Monty said:
tried this didnt work looks like i will have to fromat the
drive and
lose all my work.
Click to expand...


Formatting seems like a very extreme step just to delete a file.
I wouldn't give up that easily and be in a rush to format.

And if you do format, why does that mean you have to lose all
your work? Back up your data files first.
 
In
Monty said:
I have started the system in safe mode and tried to delete the
file
but still no joy i have even open up CMD and then closed
explorer
through task manager. however when i typed the following
(E:>Del AVP
Magic tricks) in CMD prompt it could not find the file but the
file
is there alright.
Click to expand...


Exactly *where* is the file? On what drive and folder? The
command you give above looks for it in the root folder of drive
E: If it's anywhere else, it won't find it. Also because there
are spaces in the file name and it's more than eight characters,
you can't type the file name like that.

Make sure your del command specificies the correct path for the
file you want to delete, or else navigate to the proper folder
first. Then specify the file name as "AVP Ma~1" *with* the
quotation marks.
 
This is probably a sofisticated spyware, it's safe as another file and is
probably stored in your startup list, then creates the file you're trying to
delete. It will keep re-creating this file until you find the true culprit.
Use MSCONFIG, uncheck all startup files, or the ones you don't recognize,
reboot then try to delete the file. I'm still learning how to clean this
startup system but that's where all these nuisances usually load.
Hope this helps
 
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