Vista - cannot delete a file due to error that file is open

cloudgrin · 12-07-2008

I have looked at other posts in this forum regarding similar problems, but have not successfully delete a file.

It is an ISO file located on a secondary drive [ E: drive] under several levels of directories. My attempts to delete are given an error that the file is open by another program. I can copy the file to another partition but I cannot rename, delete or move it.

I have attempted the following: (running as adminstrator)

killing explorer.exe
takeown, attrib, cacl commands
safe mode, with startup services all stopped

I also downloaded the unlocker tool which appears to be quite good, except it solve my problem. It reports that there are no locks, but offers to delete it anyway. It tries but comes back as not able to, and then recommends rebooting... which doesn't work.

I even opened up a cd burner program using this ISO file and started burning it, and then used the Unlocker tool. It found the burner's lock, I selected to break "All locks" and it killed the burner one but then I could still not delete the ISO file.

Any thoughts?

12-08-2008

cloudgrin wrote:

Quote:

>
> I have looked at other posts in this forum regarding similar problems,
> but have not successfully delete a file.
>
> It is an ISO file located on a secondary drive [ E: drive] under
> several levels of directories. My attempts to delete are given an error
> that the file is open by another program. I can copy the file to another
> partition but I cannot rename, delete or move it.
>
> I have attempted the following: (running as adminstrator)
>
> - killing explorer.exe
> - takeown, attrib, cacl commands
> - safe mode, with startup services all stopped
> I also downloaded the unlocker tool which appears to be quite good,
> except it solve my problem. It reports that there are no locks, but
> offers to delete it anyway. It tries but comes back as not able to, and
> then recommends rebooting... which doesn't work.
>
> I even opened up a cd burner program using this ISO file and started
> burning it, and then used the Unlocker tool. It found the burner's lock,
> I selected to break "All locks" and it killed the burner one but then I
> could still not delete the ISO file.

1. Run Chkdsk on that drive and then try to delete it. If that doesn't
work...

2. Boot with a Linux Live CD and delete it. If the drive is formatted NTFS
and not FAT32, you'll need to use an NTFS driver in Linux. Google for how
to do this. Or you can use a Bart's PE instead.

http://www.knoppix.net
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ - Bart's PE Builder

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

12-07-2008	#1 (permalink)
cloudgrin Vista Home Premium 32 bit 2 posts	cannot delete a file due to error that file is open I have looked at other posts in this forum regarding similar problems, but have not successfully delete a file. It is an ISO file located on a secondary drive [ E: drive] under several levels of directories. My attempts to delete are given an error that the file is open by another program. I can copy the file to another partition but I cannot rename, delete or move it. I have attempted the following: (running as adminstrator) killing explorer.exe takeown, attrib, cacl commands safe mode, with startup services all stopped I also downloaded the unlocker tool which appears to be quite good, except it solve my problem. It reports that there are no locks, but offers to delete it anyway. It tries but comes back as not able to, and then recommends rebooting... which doesn't work. I even opened up a cd burner program using this ISO file and started burning it, and then used the Unlocker tool. It found the burner's lock, I selected to break "All locks" and it killed the burner one but then I could still not delete the ISO file. Any thoughts?
My System Specs

12-08-2008	#2 (permalink)
Malke n/a posts	Re: cannot delete a file due to error that file is open cloudgrin wrote: Quote: > > I have looked at other posts in this forum regarding similar problems, > but have not successfully delete a file. > > It is an ISO file located on a secondary drive [ E: drive] under > several levels of directories. My attempts to delete are given an error > that the file is open by another program. I can copy the file to another > partition but I cannot rename, delete or move it. > > I have attempted the following: (running as adminstrator) > > - killing explorer.exe > - takeown, attrib, cacl commands > - safe mode, with startup services all stopped > I also downloaded the unlocker tool which appears to be quite good, > except it solve my problem. It reports that there are no locks, but > offers to delete it anyway. It tries but comes back as not able to, and > then recommends rebooting... which doesn't work. > > I even opened up a cd burner program using this ISO file and started > burning it, and then used the Unlocker tool. It found the burner's lock, > I selected to break "All locks" and it killed the burner one but then I > could still not delete the ISO file. 1. Run Chkdsk on that drive and then try to delete it. If that doesn't work... 2. Boot with a Linux Live CD and delete it. If the drive is formatted NTFS and not FAT32, you'll need to use an NTFS driver in Linux. Google for how to do this. Or you can use a Bart's PE instead. http://www.knoppix.net http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ - Bart's PE Builder Malke -- MS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
My System Specs

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