Deleting a corrupted .dat file

[DonM]

My antivirus software detected a trojan in a .dat file, and couldn't
quarantine it automatically. So I tried to delete the corrupted file, but
the system won't allow it to be deleted because it is in use. Does anybody
know how to delete that type of file? I'm sure it isn't a file I need
because it was recently created and I haven't installed anything in that
timeframe. I tried restoring the system but that didn't help.

 

[David B.]

Try safe mode.

 

[DonM]

I tried it. Didn't work...still wouldn't let me delete it.

 

[Jim]

My antivirus software detected a trojan in a .dat file, and couldn't
quarantine it automatically. So I tried to delete the corrupted file, but
the system won't allow it to be deleted because it is in use. Does
anybody
know how to delete that type of file? I'm sure it isn't a file I need
because it was recently created and I haven't installed anything in that
timeframe. I tried restoring the system but that didn't help.

Process Explorer can tell you which process has a handle to that file. Then
what you do next depends on how important the program that has a handle to
the file may be.

Jim

 

[nass]

Go through these Cleaning steps:
1... First, try to clean up your caches, Internet files and delete cookies
by doing this:
Click Start >> Control Panel >> Double click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options.
On the IE properties windows you will see these Tabs:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs |
Advanced
Under General Tab clear your History, Internet Files and Cookies.
Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
Then click on Programs Tab and click Manage Add-Ons and Disable all non
Verified Add-Ons (You should Renable them later one-by-one and see the
culprit and update it or remove it.
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256
Scan for malware from here:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

Run a scan from here on-line:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Download Avast Cleaner (offline scanner) from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Run disk clean up on your Drive.
You can download this tool o run clean up:
http://www.ccleaner.com
Comodo BOClean : Anti-Malware Version 4.27
http://www.comodo.com/boclean/boclean.html

Don't forget to flush your System Restore after doing these cleaning steps
then create a clean Restore point.
Clear the Restore Points as they seems to be infected by the trojans!
Do this:
Right click "My Computer" icon and select Properties from the drop down list.
On the system Properties click on System Restore Tab and check this box:
[ ] Turn off System Restore on all drives

Click [Apply] then click [OK] try to access some programs on your machine
then do the stpes again to access the System Restore to create a new clean
restore Point and this time Uncheck the check box [ ].
Right click "My Computer" icon and select Properties from the drop down list.
On the system Properties click on System Restore Tab and Uncheck this box:
[ ] Turn off System Restore on all drives

HTH
nass

 

[zeta]

The file is continualy writing itself via your system restore.
you need to first disable system restore point.
then stop the program from runing (if possible) using
windows task manager.
you should then run microsoft malicious software removal tool,
"windows-kb890830-v2.1.exe" (from microsoft downoad page or Google search).
Either way....it is the software using the system restore point to rewrite
itself, so disable system restore til after the fix.

Good Luck !