Cannot delete folder...

NBK · 11-23-2008, 12:13 PM

Hi

Sometimes i cannot delete a folder in Windows XP SP3. I get the following error message and have to log out and log back in to Windows to delete it. Is there anyway to solve it???

Thanks
NBK

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NBK · 11-23-2008, 12:17 PM

Oops! Here is the attachment...

NBK

Rick_EE · 11-23-2008, 03:16 PM

Sounds like something is staying resident in memory. Logging out will take it out and release the file. It that case, memtest must be leaving something.

polonyc2 · 11-23-2008, 03:22 PM

chant Abracadabra right before deleting it...

other then that I agree with Rick EE

NBK · 11-23-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick_EE

Sounds like something is staying resident in memory. Logging out will take it out and release the file. It that case, memtest must be leaving something.

Hi Rick_EE,

I will run memtest on each of my sticks and see what happens

Thanks
NBK

**Gorganzola** · 11-23-2008, 05:16 PM

Running memtest won't fix the issue. I've had the issue once before and it would occur with various files and folders. Very irritating. I eventually re-installed the operating system. Didn't feel like troubleshooting the issue. However, booting to safe mode may well allow you to remove the file otherwise if you really need to delete it.

Rick_EE · 11-23-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBK

Hi Rick_EE,

I will run memtest on each of my sticks and see what happens

Thanks
NBK

I meant, based on your screenie, the OS thinks a file in the memtest directory is open. If you ran memtest, maybe something stayed resident in memory. Or, like gorgonzola said, it just thinks so.

It has nothing to do with the physical memory.

CommandrX · 11-23-2008, 07:31 PM

I use Unlocker to delete stubborn files. You might want to give it a try.

Also moving the file and/or folder to the desktop allows for the file deletion do to changes of file/folder permissions. This method works great for removing the pesky Flash9.ocx file.

NBK · 11-24-2008, 02:17 PM

Hi all,

Thanks for the ideas!!!

NBK

NBK · 03-20-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommandrX

I use Unlocker to delete stubborn files. You might want to give it a try.

Also moving the file and/or folder to the desktop allows for the file deletion do to changes of file/folder permissions. This method works great for removing the pesky Flash9.ocx file.

Hey CommandrX! The problem came back and 'Unlocker' worked like a charm...

Thanks
NBK

rjs735 · 03-20-2009, 12:23 PM

Yes usually the reason you can't delete something is because of use or being locked which didn't release when the task ended. Like when a program fails to close and you have to invoke task manager to kill the task because it's hung.

simplyjoy · 10-12-2009, 01:04 AM

it sounds that your computer have virus in it ,and i suggest you have your disk formatted.

gpsoft · 12-09-2009, 06:39 PM

To check who's "keeping" file or folder, I'd recommend a Handle utility from former SysInternals team, that should be available now on Microsoft web site (google it please). This tool shows you all or specific open files and their holding processes and handles. And using this tool you can also forcefully close handles that are in use!

Sir Skully · 12-09-2009, 10:18 PM

I use Process Explorer, its a free download here.....
Process Explorer

gpsoft · 12-10-2009, 07:53 PM

And check a whole bunch of other SysInternals utilities available at the link above!

11-23-2008, 12:13 PM	#1
NBK Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina USA Posts: 406	Cannot delete folder... Hi Sometimes i cannot delete a folder in Windows XP SP3. I get the following error message and have to log out and log back in to Windows to delete it. Is there anyway to solve it??? Thanks NBK __________________ Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz**RAM: G.Skill DDR2-1066 2x2048 Motherboard: ASUS Maximus Formula rev. 103gBIOS: 1102 Video: eVGA 8800GTS 512MbCase: Lian-Li PC-60PlusII Black Sound: Creative Sound blaster X-FI Fatal1tyPSU: Corsair 750watt HSF: Zalman 9700 LEDHard Drive [OS and Apps]: WD 500Gb Hard Drive [Storage]: WD 750GBHard Drive [Backup]: WD 250Gb Floppy Drive: Sony 1.44Mb*PATA DVD Burner: Benq DVD DD DW 1655 BCIC SATA DVD Burner: Samsung SH-S223Q Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series Monitor: ViewSonic VX1932wm 19" OS: Windows XP SP3 MacBook Pro 17" [June 2009] 2.8GHz 500Gb 7200rpmMacOS X 10.6.1 Other Components: APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA Brother HL-5250DN Laser Printer*HP Photosmart C6280 All-in-One*Dlink DIR655 Last edited by NBK; 11-23-2008 at 12:14 PM.. Reason: forgot attachment!!!*
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11-23-2008, 03:16 PM	#3
Rick_EE Sent from my PC Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,168	Re: Cannot delete folder... Sounds like something is staying resident in memory. Logging out will take it out and release the file. It that case, memtest must be leaving something.
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11-23-2008, 03:22 PM	#4
polonyc2 Banned? Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 8,196	chant Abracadabra right before deleting it... other then that I agree with Rick EE __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB Intel E8400 * Noctua NH-U12P G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX850W AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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11-23-2008, 05:16 PM	#6
Gorganzola ABXZone > Facebook Join Date: May 2001 Location: Hangin' with the fruits Posts: 9,510	Re: Cannot delete folder... Running memtest won't fix the issue. I've had the issue once before and it would occur with various files and folders. Very irritating. I eventually re-installed the operating system. Didn't feel like troubleshooting the issue. However, booting to safe mode may well allow you to remove the file otherwise if you really need to delete it. __________________ TTFN. I wasn't asleep at the switch, I was drunk. -- Homer J. Simpson Q. How many dull people does it take to change a lightbulb? A. One. A very useful tool on these forums: You can Meebo in public.
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11-23-2008, 07:31 PM	#8
CommandrX Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NY Posts: 54	Re: Cannot delete folder... I use Unlocker to delete stubborn files. You might want to give it a try. Also moving the file and/or folder to the desktop allows for the file deletion do to changes of file/folder permissions. This method works great for removing the pesky Flash9.ocx file. __________________ GAMING RIG: P4 3.4GHZ 1MB L2, Intel D875PBZ REV. AA C27085-304, 4GB HyperX 2.5-3-3-5, BFG 7800GS OC 256MB 425x650MHZ, (2) 500GB Barracuda 32MB cache in Raid 0, Antec NeoPower 550W, Lian Li PC-75, CPU Cooling-Scythe MUGEN, 42" Plasma (1080i) Last edited by CommandrX; 11-24-2008 at 07:34 AM.. Reason: typo
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11-24-2008, 02:17 PM	#9
NBK Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina USA Posts: 406	Re: Cannot delete folder... Hi all, Thanks for the ideas!!! NBK __________________ Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz**RAM: G.Skill DDR2-1066 2x2048 Motherboard: ASUS Maximus Formula rev. 103gBIOS: 1102 Video: eVGA 8800GTS 512MbCase: Lian-Li PC-60PlusII Black Sound: Creative Sound blaster X-FI Fatal1tyPSU: Corsair 750watt HSF: Zalman 9700 LEDHard Drive [OS and Apps]: WD 500Gb Hard Drive [Storage]: WD 750GBHard Drive [Backup]: WD 250Gb Floppy Drive: Sony 1.44Mb*PATA DVD Burner: Benq DVD DD DW 1655 BCIC SATA DVD Burner: Samsung SH-S223Q Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series Monitor: ViewSonic VX1932wm 19" OS: Windows XP SP3 MacBook Pro 17" [June 2009] 2.8GHz 500Gb 7200rpmMacOS X 10.6.1 Other Components: APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA Brother HL-5250DN Laser Printer*HP Photosmart C6280 All-in-One**Dlink DIR655
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03-20-2009, 12:23 PM	#11
rjs735 Virus? What I am not sick Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,965	Re: Cannot delete folder... Yes usually the reason you can't delete something is because of use or being locked which didn't release when the task ended. Like when a program fails to close and you have to invoke task manager to kill the task because it's hung. __________________ Giga ga-ep45-ud3p 2.8 E8400 4mb Ram WDC 500Gb XP pro Win7 32 Win7 64 Asus P4S8x 2.0 Ghz Celeron Ram 512MB WDC 80GB HD SATA WDC 80GB SATA Memorex DUAL DVD/RW Win98SE/XP pro Asus P2b-F Cel 450 Ram 256MB W98 SE Optorite CDRW WD 40GB Asrock P4combo P4 346 Xp Pro Sp 3 SATA HD SATA DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 XP Media SP2 Sata HD Sata DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 Xp SP2 Asrock 775Dual 550 Xp pro SP2 IBM T23 1.3hz RAM 512MB XP pro SP2 All systems are networked Konica Minolta Color Laser Samsung clp-315 Color laser Dlink 655 Dlink G650 Wireless Dlink DNS-323 1TB NAS
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10-12-2009, 01:04 AM	#12
simplyjoy Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 84	Re: Cannot delete folder... it sounds that your computer have virus in it ,and i suggest you have your disk formatted.
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12-09-2009, 06:39 PM	#13
gpsoft Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 15	Re: Cannot delete folder... To check who's "keeping" file or folder, I'd recommend a Handle utility from former SysInternals team, that should be available now on Microsoft web site (google it please). This tool shows you all or specific open files and their holding processes and handles. And using this tool you can also forcefully close handles that are in use!
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12-09-2009, 10:18 PM	#14
Sir Skully ABX KNIGHT EXEMPLAR Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA-GA Posts: 28,859	Re: Cannot delete folder... I use Process Explorer, its a free download here..... Process Explorer __________________ .....................................................................................................................
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12-10-2009, 07:53 PM	#15
gpsoft Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 15	Re: Cannot delete folder... And check a whole bunch of other SysInternals utilities available at the link above!
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