Hard Drive: Access is Denied

[phillr]

I have an error message that comes up alot: "Access is denied. Make sure the
disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in
use."

Problem is that other than Windows Explorer, no other program is accessing
my external hard drive. It comes up sporadically, haven't noticed any
'pattern' as to when it arises. E.g. i'm able to re-name other files. This
happens even after a reboot. Any ideas why this is happening? The problematic
files are *NOT* in read-only mode.

On Macs a similar error sometimes occurs and a 'permissions' fix needs to
happen, which is pretty simple and painless. Is there any similar function on
Windows?

 

[Luis]

Hi there,

I would try with this:

Shut down the computer, disconnect the external HD, restart, download the
process monitor tool:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx?PHPSESSID=d926

just before connect the HD start scanning with the procmonitor, access those
files that you are having problems and get the error message, stop the scan.

Take a look at the results in procmon, filter if necessary in order to know
exactly witch process is causing the problem. If it is explorer you will
know the dependencies with other apps that might be locking those files.

Hope this will help,

L.