Help Deleting A File - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MahlerIsGod · 05-17-2003, 11:15 PM

Greetings All,
I am in desperate need of some expert advice. I downloaded, from Kazaa, an episode of Space Above and Beyond (Pearly) and now I can't delete it. It says that its in use by another program and can't be deleted. It's not being used by another program that I know of. The system task manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) under the processes tab isn't running anything that like suspicious. How can I get rid of this program? Please help! Thanks.

Konichiwaneko · 05-17-2003, 11:23 PM

ah good old windows issues.

If you are familiar with the dos prompt, do it there. Go to that directory and delete it manually.

Which OS are you running?

MahlerIsGod · 05-17-2003, 11:25 PM

I am running XP sp 1 and no I am sorry I am not at all familiar with the dos prompt. Suggestions?

charliex · 05-17-2003, 11:26 PM

try deleting it from the command prompt with del "filename"
make sure no explorer windows are open on it

or left click another file then right cick the file you want to delete and select delete from the popup menu

doing this usually cures the problem with the preview for good

Start/Run/Regedit
-HKEY CLASSES ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler.

Delete the "Default" key.

Konichiwaneko · 05-17-2003, 11:35 PM

good advice, but be careful with the registry if you are new too it.

The best way is till the command prompt for me to tell you, but if you are not familiar with consoles then it can be hard.

Here's a quick run down though. Windows like most operating systems is a hierarchy of files of folders. Just remember that.

Go to start, and then choose run.

Type command in the run box.

This should bring up something that probably says

"C:\docu*********" (the *** being what ever said text)

Type CD\

This will bring you to your root directory

now here's the important part...find out where on your computer your file is located. You will now go there with the command line.

For example let's say it's in the kazaa folder under program files, you can type

cd program files (cd stands for change directory) then
cd kazaa , then
cd downloads (if this is how your directorys are setup.

now do a "Dir" in that said directory, and see if you file is there.

next is the "Del" command. Be carefule with this. You can simple just type

"Del filename.*"

You do not have to type the full filename. Because it's kazaa it's probably a bunch of crappy numbers or something if it's not a complete download. If it is a download just type like the first 5~6 characters and then a *.* and that will erase anything with that name.

for example movi*.* will erase anything with the word movi in the front.

This is a little complicated, but I can tell you this..if you know command prompt you = elite.

heyal256 · 05-18-2003, 12:08 AM

I'm thinking that if you downloaded it from kazaa, and kazaa is still running in the background while you are trying to delete it that maybe you are sharing the file. If you are sharing the file it is also likely that someone is downloading the file from you at the same time that you are deleting it. Just something for you to check out. And if all else fails, reboot and try deleting the file before starting any programs.

MahlerIsGod · 05-18-2003, 12:11 AM

What does it mean that I don't have a SystemsFileAssocations tab? I go from System.FieldAcessException to System.FlagsAttribute? It doesn't even give me the option to change anything? I am going to try the dos prompt but I would like to why I can't change the reg.

MahlerIsGod · 05-18-2003, 12:56 AM

It worked!!!!!! I am elite!!!! Thanks to you both for all of your help. Much appreciated.

m0j0 · 05-18-2003, 01:41 AM

i had the same problem with windows xp.. and no it wasn't shared or anything

arch13 · 05-18-2003, 02:33 AM

this is most commonly an issue when the filename excedes 110 characters. Windows has a system flag that determines an longer filename to be unix based for shared machine purposes and write protects the file in the system shell.
The only way to consistently work around this is in "real dos", as in boot to dos and delete from the promt.

Great Scott · 05-18-2003, 09:51 AM

There was actually a registry fix for this very problem that I found from VCD help. I'll have a dig around to see if I can find the link and post it....

Great Scott · 05-18-2003, 10:15 AM

Here it is... http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/userguides/100406.php

Incidentally a nifty way to delete that file without mucking about in DOS is to try and delete it from the Kazaa program itself. Don't ask me why but it just seems to work...

rubicon · 05-19-2003, 08:53 AM

Often, the folder window you have open has a thumbnail preview of the file on the left. This will always make the file difficult/impossible to delete. This applies to JPEGs, AVIs, etc.

05-17-2003, 11:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
MahlerIsGod At The Globe Showing Will How Its Done Location: London/Elysium	Help Deleting A File Greetings All, I am in desperate need of some expert advice. I downloaded, from Kazaa, an episode of Space Above and Beyond (Pearly) and now I can't delete it. It says that its in use by another program and can't be deleted. It's not being used by another program that I know of. The system task manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) under the processes tab isn't running anything that like suspicious. How can I get rid of this program? Please help! Thanks. __________________ "But a work of art is a conscious human effort that has to do with communication. It is that or its nothing. When an accident is applauded as a work of art, when a cult grows up around the deliciousness of inadvertent beauty, we are in the presence of the greatest decadence the West has known in its history."

05-17-2003, 11:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Konichiwaneko The Dreaded Pixel Nazi Location: Inside my camera	ah good old windows issues. If you are familiar with the dos prompt, do it there. Go to that directory and delete it manually. Which OS are you running? __________________ Hesitate. Pull me in. Breath on breath. Skin on skin. Loving deep. Falling fast. All right here. Let this last. Here with our lips locked tight. Baby the time is right for us... to forget about us.

05-17-2003, 11:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
MahlerIsGod At The Globe Showing Will How Its Done Location: London/Elysium	I am running XP sp 1 and no I am sorry I am not at all familiar with the dos prompt. Suggestions? __________________ "But a work of art is a conscious human effort that has to do with communication. It is that or its nothing. When an accident is applauded as a work of art, when a cult grows up around the deliciousness of inadvertent beauty, we are in the presence of the greatest decadence the West has known in its history."

05-17-2003, 11:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Konichiwaneko The Dreaded Pixel Nazi Location: Inside my camera	good advice, but be careful with the registry if you are new too it. The best way is till the command prompt for me to tell you, but if you are not familiar with consoles then it can be hard. Here's a quick run down though. Windows like most operating systems is a hierarchy of files of folders. Just remember that. Go to start, and then choose run. Type command in the run box. This should bring up something that probably says "C:\docu*******" (the * being what ever said text) Type CD\ This will bring you to your root directory now here's the important part...find out where on your computer your file is located. You will now go there with the command line. For example let's say it's in the kazaa folder under program files, you can type cd program files (cd stands for change directory) then cd kazaa , then cd downloads (if this is how your directorys are setup. now do a "Dir" in that said directory, and see if you file is there. next is the "Del" command. Be carefule with this. You can simple just type "Del filename." You do not have to type the full filename. Because it's kazaa it's probably a bunch of crappy numbers or something if it's not a complete download. If it is a download just type like the first 5~6 characters and then a .* and that will erase anything with that name. for example movi. will erase anything with the word movi in the front. This is a little complicated, but I can tell you this..if you know command prompt you = elite. __________________ Hesitate. Pull me in. Breath on breath. Skin on skin. Loving deep. Falling fast. All right here. Let this last. Here with our lips locked tight. Baby the time is right for us... to forget about us.

05-18-2003, 12:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
MahlerIsGod At The Globe Showing Will How Its Done Location: London/Elysium	What does it mean that I don't have a SystemsFileAssocations tab? I go from System.FieldAcessException to System.FlagsAttribute? It doesn't even give me the option to change anything? I am going to try the dos prompt but I would like to why I can't change the reg. __________________ "But a work of art is a conscious human effort that has to do with communication. It is that or its nothing. When an accident is applauded as a work of art, when a cult grows up around the deliciousness of inadvertent beauty, we are in the presence of the greatest decadence the West has known in its history."

05-17-2003, 11:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
charliex Junkie Location: North Hollywood	try deleting it from the command prompt with del "filename" make sure no explorer windows are open on it or left click another file then right cick the file you want to delete and select delete from the popup menu doing this usually cures the problem with the preview for good Start/Run/Regedit -HKEY CLASSES ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler. Delete the "Default" key.

05-18-2003, 12:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
heyal256 Not so great lurker Location: NY	I'm thinking that if you downloaded it from kazaa, and kazaa is still running in the background while you are trying to delete it that maybe you are sharing the file. If you are sharing the file it is also likely that someone is downloading the file from you at the same time that you are deleting it. Just something for you to check out. And if all else fails, reboot and try deleting the file before starting any programs.

05-18-2003, 12:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
MahlerIsGod At The Globe Showing Will How Its Done Location: London/Elysium	It worked!!!!!! I am elite!!!! Thanks to you both for all of your help. Much appreciated. __________________ "But a work of art is a conscious human effort that has to do with communication. It is that or its nothing. When an accident is applauded as a work of art, when a cult grows up around the deliciousness of inadvertent beauty, we are in the presence of the greatest decadence the West has known in its history."

05-18-2003, 01:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
m0j0 Tilted Location: California	i had the same problem with windows xp.. and no it wasn't shared or anything

05-18-2003, 02:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
arch13 Loves my girl in thongs Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada	this is most commonly an issue when the filename excedes 110 characters. Windows has a system flag that determines an longer filename to be unix based for shared machine purposes and write protects the file in the system shell. The only way to consistently work around this is in "real dos", as in boot to dos and delete from the promt. __________________ Seen on an employer evaluation: "The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead" ____________________________ Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11. -Nanofever

05-18-2003, 09:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
Great Scott Insane Location: In a huge maze just trying to find my cheese	There was actually a registry fix for this very problem that I found from VCD help. I'll have a dig around to see if I can find the link and post it....

05-18-2003, 10:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
Great Scott Insane Location: In a huge maze just trying to find my cheese	Here it is... http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/userguides/100406.php Incidentally a nifty way to delete that file without mucking about in DOS is to try and delete it from the Kazaa program itself. Don't ask me why but it just seems to work...

05-19-2003, 08:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	Often, the folder window you have open has a thumbnail preview of the file on the left. This will always make the file difficult/impossible to delete. This applies to JPEGs, AVIs, etc. __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.