I can't delete a file!

[Brentford Bob]

I recently downloaded a video file that I can't now delete.

The video file itself is corrupt and won't play. Everytime I attempt to delete it I get a message saying that the file is being used elswhere and that I should shut down other programs and try again.
As far as I can see it's not being used elsewhere so I'm completely at a loss! Any ideas?

[Banana]

reboot your machine - then delete it

['Ayes B]

Has it loaded on to your desk top, if it has you may have to delete it from there as well.

[Dave Davis]

if its the old avi problem
simply right click the file select cut and then paste it into the recycling bin
job done

[Brentford Bob]

reboot your machine - then delete it

Thanks but it didn't work. :wave:

[Brentford Bob]

if its the old avi problem
simply right click the file select cut and then paste it into the recycling bin
job done

Thanks but it didn't work. :wave:

[Banana]

Re-boot it into safe mode and try again.

[FarnhamBee]

Open a command prompt (Start->run type "cmd" into the Open: box) & navigate to the directory where the naughty file is (cd C:\Documents and Settings\Bob\Desktop) then type "del naughty.file"

Replace the bits in italics as appropriate...



If that doesn't work "Format C:" will definitely get rid of it & everything else :nono:

[Brentford Bob]

Thanks all - in the end I had to back up my entire "Movies" ;) folder to CD except for the offending article and then delete the entire folder.

Just out of interest though, how do you start in safe mode on XP?

[Banana]

Just out of interest though, how do you start in safe mode on XP?Press F8 during boot-up I believe.

[Brentford Bob]

Cheers squire.

[FarnhamBee]

Thanks all - in the end I had to back up my entire "Movies" ;) folder to CD except for the offending article and then delete the entire folder.


They wouldn't be educational movies would they Bob? :nono:

lol

[Davee]

Jeeeeeeezzzz, am I glad to have an Apple!!

[Feltham Bee]

Sounds like what probably was happening is that when you clicked on the file windows tried to show you it in the preview pane on the left, while it is doing this it wont let you delete it cos it is in use, if the file was corrupt then it wouldn't be able to preview it and hey presto you are stuck.

There are a few ways around it, change the view options in explorer to turn off the preview pane, delete in dos (as suggested by FarnhamBee) or delete the folder as you did:)

[GABS]

Your prob is obv sorted now but I would have suggested choosing a system restore date just before the date you downloaded the file (as long as you did not download/setup anything you need after that date) and that'd be Robs ya fathers bruv mate :sorted:

[Brentford Bob]

They wouldn't be educational movies would they Bob? :nono:

lol


Good Lord! What can you be suggesting!!!! :eek: