Go back
Help needed

Help needed

General

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Okay, I have downloaded a movie that is over 800MB big and when I tried to open it my Mediaplayer crashed - so far so good -

So after a little fiddling about and trying other programes (Power DVD, etc.) I decided that the file is not worth keeping and wanted to delete it ...

And that is the message I get

Cannot move ******: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using this file and try again.

Okay, I have tried everything (including re-starting my laptop) but not success ... Anyone got any ideas on how to get rid of that file ??

Many thanks

Boris

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by The Slow Pawn
Okay, I have downloaded a movie that is over 800MB big and when I tried to open it my Mediaplayer crashed - so far so good -

So after a little fiddling about and trying other programes (Power DVD, etc.) I decided that the file is not worth keeping and wanted to delete it ...

And that is the message I get

Cannot move ******: It is being used ...[text shortened]... not success ... Anyone got any ideas on how to get rid of that file ??

Many thanks

Boris
You could try
1. starting in safe mode
2. starting Dos and delete from the prompt
3. Restoring your system to an earlier date and deleting
hope this helps mate
Mike

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by The Slow Pawn
Okay, I have downloaded a movie that is over 800MB big and when I tried to open it my Mediaplayer crashed - so far so good -

So after a little fiddling about and trying other programes (Power DVD, etc.) I decided that the file is not worth keeping and wanted to delete it ...

And that is the message I get

Cannot move ******: It is being used ...[text shortened]... not success ... Anyone got any ideas on how to get rid of that file ??

Many thanks

Boris
800MB!!
If it's porn Boris, You will find a 30 second trailer does the trick, much quicker to download too
🙂

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by The Slow Pawn
Okay, I have downloaded a movie that is over 800MB big and when I tried to open it my Mediaplayer crashed - so far so good -

So after a little fiddling about and trying other programes (Power DVD, etc.) I decided that the file is not worth keeping and wanted to delete it ...

And that is the message I get

Cannot move ******: It is being used ...[text shortened]... not success ... Anyone got any ideas on how to get rid of that file ??

Many thanks

Boris
That's what you get for downloading porn. Now it will be on your computer forever. 😉

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by claretnblue
You could try
1. starting in safe mode
2. starting Dos and delete from the prompt
3. Restoring your system to an earlier date and deleting
hope this helps mate
Mike
Am running XP Professional ... so don't have dos anymore (gee was the world easy with the good old dos surface ;-)

And unfortunately, I disabled system restore as I never have any hard-drive space for that :-(

Don't know if you can start XP Professional in a safe mode but if one can, I shall certainly try that

thanks and keep posting people (if you have ideas)

Boris

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by claretnblue
You could try
1. starting in safe mode
2. starting Dos and delete from the prompt
3. Restoring your system to an earlier date and deleting
hope this helps mate
Mike
Am running XP Professional ... so don't have dos anymore (gee was the world easy with the good old dos surface ;-)

And unfortunately, I disabled system restore as I never have any hard-drive space for that :-(

Don't know if you can start XP Professional in a safe mode but if one can, I shall certainly try that

thanks and keep posting people (if you have ideas)

Boris

Clock
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Slow Pawn - Try using your TASK MANAGER and end any programs you see that are "not responding" or that you know for a fact are not being used. Then try deleting. You also might try logging off your internet connection, as it could be seen as still downloading.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by rwingett
That's what you get for downloading porn. Now it will be on your computer forever. 😉
It's Shrek 2 - a DVD screener (well at least that is what the file sais) ... I don't need porn, I have RHP ;-)

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by turtlex
Slow Pawn - Try using your TASK MANAGER and end any programs you see that are "not responding" or that you know for a fact are not being used. Then try deleting. You also might try logging off your internet connection, as it could be seen as still downloading.
Not working (as I said, I have even restarted the damn laptop) ...
any other thoughts ??

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by The Slow Pawn
Am running XP Professional ... so don't have dos anymore (gee was the world easy with the good old dos surface ;-)

And unfortunately, I disabled system restore as I never have any hard-drive space for that :-(

Don't know if you can start XP Professional in a safe mode but if one can, I shall certainly try that

thanks and keep posting people (if you have ideas)

Boris
try
This document provides two methods for starting the computer in Safe Mode. One method uses the F8 key during system startup, and the other method uses the System Configuration Utility, which is a feature of some Windows operating systems. Please note the following:
System Configuration Utility: If you try the System Configuration Utility and cannot start its dialog box, use the F8 method instead. If the System Configuration Utility method is not listed for your operating system, the utility is not available in that operating system.
F8 key: Using the F8 key can be more difficult than using the System Configuration Utility because you must press the F8 key at just the right time. If the F8 method does not work, repeat the steps, but press the F8 key more quickly, or press it several times. If the F8 key still does not work, use the System Configuration Utility method instead. On some older computers, the F8 key method does not work because the computer has disabled the F8 key for this purpose or the computer is designed to use a different key.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down


Yes, I know you restarted, but sometimes downloads restart when you reconnect, and programs restart as well. Or your laptop think they do. No disrespect intended.

You might try uninstalling your media players. Then try deleting.

Clock
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Oh, found this - likely that when the program crashed and you rebooted, the entry in the registry that "says" that the file is in use did not get removed or the file attribute is set to system. Which means you may need to edit the registry. Try scanreg /restore at the command prompt if that doesn't work, you may need to edit it manually.

When all else fails - Go to command prompt Change directory to E, F or G where ever the file you want to delete lies. Type del filename(i.e. name of the file you want to delete).

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

You should have just bought a Mac. Then you'd never have any problems. I have a Mac, and I live in a perpetual paradise.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

maybe its the media player that is using it or the power DVD, try working some other film on these softwares so that this 'shrek 2' (😉) wont be used anymore

Clock
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by The Slow Pawn
It's Shrek 2 - a DVD screener (well at least that is what the file sais) ... I don't need porn, I have RHP ;-)

An 800Mb screensaver, wow that's huge!

I can't recall you mentioning the file type, but I found the following which may help, it specifically mentions problematic large media files:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/r1037252815

Good luck
Laz.

PS If all else fails and you can't find an XP fix, then maybe you could mount the drive from a different OS and delete it that way - possible but a pain
:'(

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.