File being modified by user xyz, open READ-ONLY

[Def Egge]

If I remember correctly, I ran into this problem several years ago and
a reboot cured it:


User xyz has created a large PowerPoint presentation (Office XP on
Windows XP Pro SP2 and recent updates), in excess of 100 MB.

When attempting to re-open this file, user xyz is receiving a message
to the effect that the file is being modified by user xyz (with an
offer to open the file READ-ONLY).


The system has been rebooted several times to no avail. The user has
been logged off of the system and the administrator still cannot open
the file to edit it.

I would be thankful for any useful suggestion.


--

-=Shut up and eat your genes=-


Def Egge

 

[Def Egge]

If I remember correctly, I ran into this problem several years ago and
a reboot cured it:


User xyz has created a large PowerPoint presentation (Office XP on
Windows XP Pro SP2 and recent updates), in excess of 100 MB.

When attempting to re-open this file, user xyz is receiving a message
to the effect that the file is being modified by user xyz (with an
offer to open the file READ-ONLY).


The system has been rebooted several times to no avail. The user has
been logged off of the system and the administrator still cannot open
the file to edit it.

I would be thankful for any useful suggestion.

Follow-up with some useful (I hope) information:

1) The situation only applies to this single file.

2) TEMP folder has been cleared and all .tmp and .bak files have been
deleted.

3) System is free of viral infection and all detectable malware.


--

-=Shut up and eat your genes=-


Def Egge

 

[Guest]

Try opening as a read only file and save as with a new name.
--
-----------------------------------------
Did that answer the question / help?
_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

If I remember correctly, I ran into this problem several years ago and
a reboot cured it:

User xyz has created a large PowerPoint presentation (Office XP on
Windows XP Pro SP2 and recent updates), in excess of 100 MB.

When attempting to re-open this file, user xyz is receiving a message
to the effect that the file is being modified by user xyz (with an
offer to open the file READ-ONLY).

The system has been rebooted several times to no avail. The user has
been logged off of the system and the administrator still cannot open
the file to edit it.

In order to edit the file, try John's suggestion. Or you may be able to make a
copy of the file under a new name from Windows Explorer or a command line.

As to clearing the lock on the original so it can be modified or deleted, is
the file on a server? If so, the server admin would need to do the job from
the server. Rightclick My Computer, choose Manage. Open System Tools, open
Shared Folders, click Open Files. I can't test this here easily, but if you
rightclick the file in question there should be a Disconnect option.

 

[Def Egge]

Try opening as a read only file and save as with a new name.

I tried that along the way and had the same problem. I made a copy of
the file and had the same problem.

I copied the files to another user's directory space and the problem
appeared again (this time the dialog box indicated that the file was
being modified by user abc).

I rebooted about a dozen times in between attempts to open and edit
the file. Eventually, I burned the file to CD and was able to open
(and the owner able to edit) it on another desktop system.

Thanks for the suggestions though.



--

-=Shut up and eat your genes=-


Def Egge

 

[Def Egge]

In order to edit the file, try John's suggestion. Or you may be able to make a
copy of the file under a new name from Windows Explorer or a command line.

As to clearing the lock on the original so it can be modified or deleted, is
the file on a server? If so, the server admin would need to do the job from
the server. Rightclick My Computer, choose Manage. Open System Tools, open
Shared Folders, click Open Files. I can't test this here easily, but if you
rightclick the file in question there should be a Disconnect option.

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

Steve,

See my reply to John for details but burning the file to CD permitted
the user to edit the file on another desktop system.

The file resides on a desktop system but thanks for the suggestions.


--

-=Shut up and eat your genes=-


Def Egge

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Steve,

See my reply to John for details but burning the file to CD permitted
the user to edit the file on another desktop system.

The file resides on a desktop system but thanks for the suggestions.

And IIRC, you've rebooted between attempts. That would clear the lock on the file
if that were the only problem.

Hmm. Just to verify something, by reboot, you mean totally shutting down Windows
and restarting the PC, right? I'm not sure just logging out and logging in would
do the job. In fact, I'd try powering the PC down totally and restarting it.

 

[Def Egge]

And IIRC, you've rebooted between attempts. That would clear the lock on the file
if that were the only problem.

Hmm. Just to verify something, by reboot, you mean totally shutting down Windows
and restarting the PC, right? I'm not sure just logging out and logging in would
do the job. In fact, I'd try powering the PC down totally and restarting it.


-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

Correct, when I reboot, the system power cycles. In fact, the system
was powered down a couple of times in there, too.

Rebooting did not do the trick initially. It was rebooting after
removing all .tmp and .bak that let me open the file to edit it.

Even at that, upon closing the file and having the original user
attempt to reopen it, she got the message that "I" was modifying the
file.

Cleared .tmp files again, rebooted, and burned the original file to
CD-R.

Fingers crossed for a long time passing before this one pops up again.



--

-=Shut up and eat your genes=-


Def Egge

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Fingers crossed for a long time passing before this one pops up again.

Amen to that!

Good luck!