"Access is denied" errors when trying to delete files

[Dukiedallas]

I'm having a devil of a time trying to clean up some old file off a Win2000
server. These are data files in a directory that was for Peachtree
Accounting. I'm receiving a "Cannot delete XXX. Access is denied. The
source file may be in use." popup error message. This is happening for
anything from Peachtree .FRM files to compiled Help (.CMH) files, to even
spreadsheet (.XLS) files in the folders.

The application is most definitely not running. The only workstation with
Peachtree on it is down and the server was rebooted. I'll be damned if I
can figure out what could have the files locked or even how to find out why
the system thinks the files are in use.

The disk that the files are on is a basic disk in Win2K Server, on a RAID-5
hardware array in a Dell server.

I feel real stupid here. Can anyone help me be a little less stupid.

Thanks.

 

[dcdon]

Go to the Directory where these files are located,
make a new folder named say with your initials or
OLD, and then place these files or this folder
inside of it. You need administrator rights on
local computer. If it lets you do this okay, leave
it there for say a day, just to make sure and then
nuke the OLD folder. I do it by search, so I can
see if I have forgotten about other folders, I
generally do the same thing with. If the box
squawks about moving the folder, you may need to
take ownership first. And if that doesn't work, you
may need to go through the Recovery Console and
move it with a command line. And if that doesn't
work, in a command prompt, copy another file like
boot.ini to it first, then it won't feel like a
virgin any longer.

And you're not stupid. Just may make a little
smarter. (but doesn't frustrate you, like it does
me)
--
Best regards,
don
Please reply in the NG
Email on auto delete,
" Do a kind deed for someone less fortunate
everyday."
"When you do, it will warm God's heart"
========================

message
I'm having a devil of a time trying to clean up
some old file off a Win2000
server. These are data files in a directory that
was for Peachtree
Accounting. I'm receiving a "Cannot delete XXX.
Access is denied. The
source file may be in use." popup error message.
This is happening for
anything from Peachtree .FRM files to compiled Help
(.CMH) files, to even
spreadsheet (.XLS) files in the folders.

The application is most definitely not running.
The only workstation with
Peachtree on it is down and the server was
rebooted. I'll be damned if I
can figure out what could have the files locked or
even how to find out why
the system thinks the files are in use.

The disk that the files are on is a basic disk in
Win2K Server, on a RAID-5
hardware array in a Dell server.

I feel real stupid here. Can anyone help me be a
little less stupid.

Thanks.

 

[Dukiedallas]

Thanks for the suggestions, Don. Unfortunately, no joy yet with them.

Tried your suggestions down to the point of the Recovery Console. I'll have
to locate the right drivers for the SCSI RAID controller to complete that.

The new folder in with the recalcitrant files didn't make a difference.
Same issue with the same files trying to move them to it.

Also, everything I had tried before posting and since was with THE
Administrator account or a member of Administrators. I had also previously
sized ownership of the whole folder before trying the deletes and made sure
that Administrator/Administrators had full control all through the directory
structure. By the way, trying to copy these files across the network gets
the same issue.

Microsoft sure doesn't provide much in the way of tools to see what had a
hold of a file.

DukieD

 

[Dale Weiss]

Hello,

Are you using any third party disk quota software? I have seen instances
where the disk quota sofwtare had locked files and even the administrator
could not copy, move, or delete them.

In those cases the vendor had a utility for unlocking the files.

Dale Weiss MCSA MCSE CISSP
PSS Security

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Any opinions or policies stated within are my own and do not necessarily
constitute those of my employer. Use of included script samples are subject
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specified at http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm

 

[DukieDallas]

Nope. No 3rd party disk quota software or anything like that.

 

[FUBARinSFO]

You might want to check out a solution to this problem I posted last
year. It involves inherited permissions. It may apply to your
situation.

Search Google groups for this subject line:
Error Copying File or Folder - Access denied - The source file may
be in use

-- Roy Zider