Can't Delete - "file is being used by another person or program"

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fred
  • Start date Start date
F

Fred

Hi,

I get the subject noted error message on my desktop when I try to delete
a file in the shared folder AFTER it is accessed by my laptop.

I've checked Task Manager and don not see anything odd running there.

I have WinXP Home on both PCs, using a router cabled to the desktop and
wireless on the LT.

Can anyone offer some assistance?

Thanks, Fred
 
I get the subject noted error message on my desktop when I try to delete
a file in the shared folder AFTER it is accessed by my laptop.

I've checked Task Manager and don not see anything odd running there.

I have WinXP Home on both PCs, using a router cabled to the desktop and
wireless on the LT.
Click to expand...

Fred,

please have a look at
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxCannotDelete.htm.

Hans-Georg
 
Hans-Georg Michna said:
Fred,

please have a look at
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxCannotDelete.htm.

Hans-Georg
Click to expand...

Hans-Georg,

Thanks, I've already found that I can delete the file or files AFTER a
reboot. What bothers me is why this is happening.

If I put a file in the SHARED folder on each PC (desktop and laptop), I can
rename, delete either file with no problem. ONLY after I access the file on
the desktop using the laptop does this happen. That is, after accessing the
file from the desktop by copying it to the laptop, then the file on the
desktop cannot be renamed or deleted and I get the error message that another
person or program may be using it.

If I copy the file on the laptop using the desktop, no problem, I can delete
the file on the laptop from either PC.

What is going on with the darn desktop to cause this?

Fred
 
Jason,

Thanks I'll look there but I doubt it is open.

In trying to deal with this I've tried lots of things one being using a simple
text file, graphics files, etc. None of them can be deleted unless I reboot,
then they get released from whatever is "using" them.

Fred
 
Hans-Georg Michna wrote:
Click to expand...
Thanks, I've already found that I can delete the file or files AFTER a
reboot. What bothers me is why this is happening.
Click to expand...

Fred,

one possible explanation is that some Explorer plugin or some
Windows component looks into the file to determine some property
of it, but then crashes silently or anyhow forgets to close the
file. I see this fairly often with video files, occasionally
with other multimedia files.

A workaround could be to close the network connection
temporarily.

Hans-Georg
 
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