How can I delete this file?

[Guest]

Someone has placed an MP3 file on my desktop. All attempts to delete the
file or the folder it is in result in a message saying 'Cannot delete. File
is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be
using the file and try again.' I can't see what I have running that needs
closing down. I am unable to close down my computer. How can I delete this
file?

Any help appreciated.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Simon,

Open the media player, delete the file from the playlists, then close and go
back and try deleting the file.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've checked again but can't find the file in any
playlist on Media Player or Itunes so I've nothing to delete. A colleague
has simply copied the file on to my desktop from a CD. I don't know how it's
got from there to somewhere where it's being used by a program.

 

[Gordon]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've checked again but can't find the
file in any playlist on Media Player or Itunes so I've nothing to
delete. A colleague has simply copied the file on to my desktop from
a CD. I don't know how it's got from there to somewhere where it's
being used by a program.

Boot up in Safe Mode and try from there.

 

[Guest]

Hi simon.
It happened to me once with a file. This is what i did.
open a command prompt (strat->run cmd.exe)
open task manager and kill the process 'explorer'
the screen will become plain color.
now, with delete the file from the command line.
if this is sucessful, from the same command line you can call again the
explorer by typing
explorer (enter).

One way to see if this can be you case is, go to task manager and see how
much memory is consuming the explorer when you try to delete the file. if it
tkes a lot of resources may be that.

hope this helps.

If you do not feel comfortable with the command prompt, ask first for more
details, but you can always go back to the normal situation by typing
'explorer' on it.

Victor

 

[Guest]

Thanks,

I can follow you as far as killing explorer in task manager but not sure
about the rest. Could I have further details.

Cheers
Simon

 

[Guest]

Ok.

before killing any process,
1) open the task manager. identify explorer and see at CPU. if the number
is low (it was 99 in my case), especially when you try to delete the file in
the normal way. it's almost sure the problem is that one. If it is small, we
can try anyway this way.
2) open the comand line. (start->run-> cmd) and press enter. you can also
open the command line in start->all programs-> accesories-> comand prompt
you should see something like C:\documents and setting\user>
type "cd desktop" and press enter
now you see C:\documents and setting\user\desktop>
you can see the files in the dektop by typing "dir"
you should be able to see the file you want to delete.
3) go back to task manager and kill the process explorer
4) now go back to the comand promt and type
del yourfile.mp3
(we hope you dont get now the message 'cannot delete the file!)
5) to strat again the windows explorer you just type in the command line
"explorer" and press enter.

6) check if it worked and to stop the command propmt you can just type "exit".

btw, you do not have to include the "" when you type these things.

hope it helps.

 

[Guest]

Problem solved! Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

Simon