Can't delete a file.

[Black Wolf Standing]

Hello,
Hope everybody is doing okay.
First, My computer is a Compaq Laptop with no floppy
drive.
I have Windows XP and I have a rather annoying problem.
I cannot delete a file. A simple install file for a game.
It was used once but the game was deleted after finding
out that I had to pay for it after downloading and
setting up.
When I try to delete it I get:
"Cannot delete GoldMinerSetup-dm.exe: It is being used by
another person or program.
Close any programs that might be using the file and try
again."

I tried all the obvious:
Checked files properties to make sure somebody don't
sneak a read-only / system attribute on me.
Diagnostic boot using msconfig.
Trying to rename the file.
Trying to copy over the file.
Deleting the directory the file is in.
Renaming the directory the file is in.
Checking the Registry for any references to the file
and deleting it. (Only one reference, when I did a search
for it.)
Logged into my computer using a different identity.
Repeated steps with reboots.
Tried steps using CMD prompt.

If there was a way to boot into dos, or to run a batch
file prior to any service/program I would appreciate the
knowledge.
Thanks,
Black Wolf Standing

 

[Will]

Greetings.

Have you tried booting your laptop to Safe Mode WITH
Command Prompt? (to do this, reboot laptop, as soon as
Compaq Insignia goes away, Press F8.) Once you do boot
into this mode, navigate to directory and delete from
there.

Will

 

[Black Wolf Standing]

Si Ya (Cherokee for hello, equivalent to Aloha in
Hawaiian),
I knew that I overlooked the obvious . That worked.
Not that I need anymore help, but just for general
discussion.
The folder that contained the file, GoldMinerSetup-
dm.exe, plus any files in it behave all the same way. The
folder is one that I created and not a system folder. I
am a little concerned that there could be something wrong
with my OS or that I could have a virus. I have NAV, a
number of Spyware scanning removal programs, PCBugDoctor,
and several register "repair" programs. Note: I always
hand repair the registry or let Windows XP repair it. I
don't trust any program to touch it besides setup and
installation programs. None of them spot anything wrong
with my PC. Could it be a configuration problem?

Thanks for all your help.