Unable to move/rename/delete/modify files

[OuchMyComputer]

okay this problem has been plaguing my computer for some time now. I'm running WinXP on an IBM thinkpad. Whenever I attempt to do just about anything to a file, such as renaming it or deleting it or moving it I get the following error message "Cannot delete *file name*: it is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again." Now I've done some research and attempted a variety of ways to go around this. I have attempted to go through dos and delete the files via "Del" and "del \\.\c:\directory\filename" and even shutting down "explorer.exe" and then running dos and trying to delete the files. Heck I've even tried the safe mode to work around it. None of these have worked. This makes me managing my files next to impossible! What could cause this and how can I fix it? I imagine I left off some information, if you have any questions let me know. Thanks!

[kevrob1]

Have you tried logging on as the Admin? Also do a virus and spyware scan to make sure nothing is messing with you that way.

[Strawbs]

If the virus\spyware scan turns up blank, try a repair installation, there may be some system file corruption lurking!

:t

[OuchMyComputer]

Oddly enough I run both Ad-aware and Spybot about once every two weeks. This is such a selective problem, it sometimes affects a whole folder, or just certain files in a folder. I don't get it. I am logged on as the Admin. I'm slightly afraid of running a repair installation. I'll wait on that one, any other suggestions?

[Sterling_Aug]

Do you have the latest versions of all of your programs and operating system patches?

[pgriffet]

Quit Explorer, try with the file shredder of SpyBot and Destroy
You can also try with another tool which is not a file manager
but which offers an access to folders. Nero for instance,
IrfanView and so on.
If your drive is not a NTFS and you have a multiboot, try
to delete from another OS.

The dir /X command in a command line should give the short name of the file. You can then delete the file with its short name.

Take a look here for the ownership of a file

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=298345

[OuchMyComputer]

Huh, well here is what's up now. I have quit explorer.exe from taskmanager and ran both DOS and Spybot attempting to delete these dang files. Neither worked. I did have a little luck attempting to rename files through. I update windows regularly. I'm just wondering what other program could cause this besides Explorer.exe.

Here is what I have running as of right now.

aim.exe
csrss.exe
defwatch.exe
explorer.exe
ibmpmsvc.exe
imapi.exe
lsass.exe
mdm.exe
MsPMSPSv.exe
MyIe.exe
Nero.exe
Outlok.exe
Qconsvc.exe
realsched.exe
rtvscan.exe
services.exe
slsk.exe
smss.exe
spoolsv.exe
SPTISRV.exe
SpybotSD.exe
5 instances of "svchost.exe"
System
System Idle Process
taskmgr.exe
TPONSCR.exe
vsmon.exe
winlogon.exe
WINWORD.exe
zapro.exe


Any thoughts?

[Strawbs]

aim.exe
csrss.exe
defwatch.exe
explorer.exe
ibmpmsvc.exe
imapi.exe
lsass.exe
mdm.exe
MsPMSPSv.exe
MyIe.exe
Nero.exe
Outlok.exe
Qconsvc.exe
realsched.exe
rtvscan.exe
services.exe
slsk.exe
smss.exe
spoolsv.exe
SPTISRV.exe (http://www.google.com/search?q=SPTISRV.exe&sourceid=opera&num=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8)
SpybotSD.exe
5 instances of "svchost.exe"
System
System Idle Process
taskmgr.exe
TPONSCR.exe (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&q=TPONSCR.exe&btnG=Google+Search)
vsmon.exe
winlogon.exe
WINWORD.exe
zapro.exe

If you're not sure about anything you just need to type the names into Google, if they are legitimate that will usually return an explanation about the relevant program! If not, you usually get linked to forum questions\solutions.

I've hyperlinked 2 suspicious items, they seem to suggest you have spyware installed ...but I may be wrong. I'm sure you'll research them though.

Time for a shave here! :t

[pgriffet]

Are you under NTFS ?

[OuchMyComputer]

Sorry, I don't know how to tell if I have NTFS or not. Where do I find out?

[pgriffet]

Start Explorer and look at the properties of your disk : you should see FAT32 or NTFS.
If you are under NTFS, then take a look at the 2 links I gave above.

[OuchMyComputer]

Yes, I do have NTFS. Something I did helped out because it seems like everything is fixed! Whoo hoo.

[Hedon]

I have that same problem in my computer!

I searched from Google and i found this site. You might get the answer for me?

I have done Spybot and Registry cleaner and Ad-aware, none of these have found the thing what im looking for.

Some thing is using the files, and it's just some files. 1 of the files is Pirates.of.the.Caribbean.XViD.TS.PsySem.avi

It says that some other person is using the file or some program.'

These things I have in my processes:

conf.exe (netmeeting)
iexplore.exe
rundll32.exe
taskmgr.exe
DCPlusPlus.exe (But no one is downloading the file from me)
daemon.exe
LMonitor.exe
Navapw32.exe
InCD.exe
USDM.EXE
vsmon.exe
nvsvc32.exe
Navapsvc.exe
Ctsvccda.exe
iexplore.exe
spoolsv.exe
explorer.exe
svchost.exe + 4 the same
Isass.exe (not sure is the first letter I or an l)
services.exe
winlogon.exe
csrss.exe
smss.exe
msnmsgr.exe
rundll32.exe
rundll32.exe
jusched.exe
zlclient.exe
System
System Idle Process

Any help is good.

[Strawbs]

When was the last time you patched ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/support.jsp)?

[Hedon]

What does that patching help?
-----------------

I now got the files moved, but

Now I have 2 other files which I cannot move/delete/rename, and I really would want to delete them. They are movies.

When i click the other movie and try to delete it or move it, my computer slows down very much.

[pgriffet]

Take a look at my answer from 12-09-2003, about Nero and Irfanview.
Explorer is a very BAD file manager.

[Hedon]

I cant get the properties of the file. My computer slows down very much but i don't get the properties. Maybe i should format my whole drive if there is not other solutions.

[pauloyx]

I had the same problem and I solved using a file manager as AP commander XP, you can find it with google.
tring to delete the files with it, non immediatly, but i could erase old AVI files .

Bye

Paolo