Re: File problems
- From: genedale <genedale@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 08:38:02 -0800
For some reason, my last three responses to the last group of questions got
lost in cyberspace, so let's start from scratch. Below I've included my
original message, the response from Daave, my response to him, the response
from Ed Y, my response to him, Daave's second response, and my response to
him.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Back when I purchased my first computer with Windows 98 SE, 3 or 4 times a
week I would get an error message when I tried to move, rename, or delete a
file that informed me that I could not do the above function because someone
else was using the file. No one else had ever touched that computer but the
people who built it and shipped it to me. So no one else could have been
using those files.
Now with my new computer and the installed XP Home Edition, I get the same
error message, but now it is 6 or more times A DAY. Once again, no one else
has touched this computer but the people that built it and shipped it to me.
So once again, no one else could possibly be using those files. But XP has
added a new glitch, namely that when moving a file, it sometimes leaves a
ghost file behind in the old location. The only cure in any of these
circumstances is to restart the computer. So, to save on restarting too
often, I keep a paper off to the side where I record all the files I couldn't
rename, all the files I couldn't delete, all the files that I couldn't move,
and all the files that I was able to move only to have a ghost file left
behind. And at the end of the day, I restart the computer and go down that
list to do the tasks that XP wouldn't let me do earlier in the day.
Sometimes I have to restart a second time because some files will still block
my desired actions. And once I've gotten all the files taken care of, I go
to the Recycle bin, only to find that XP has ANOTHER glitch Windows 98 SE
didn't have, namely that some files can't be removed from the Recycle bin
because "file is not empty". So I have to restart the computer AGAIN to get
rid of those files.
I have three questions here:
1. Why has this problem been allowed to continue for so many reincarnations
of Windows (Windows 98SE thru to XP)?
2. Is there a fix for this problem?
3. Has anyone made an effort to remove that problem in Windows Vista, or am
I going to have to deal with more of the same?
DAAVE'S RESPONSE:
Please post the complete text of this repeating "error message."
MY RESPONSE:
I might have a file I haven't touched in months and decide I no longer need.
When I try to delete it, the below error message pops up on the screen.
"Cannot remove folder (name of the folder): It is being used by another
person or program.
Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."
Similar versions of the above message pop up from time to time when I decide
to rename or move a file. And occasionally, even when I successfully move a
file, an empty folder is left behind looking ghostly, like a folder that has
been cut for cut and paste, and when you try to delete that empty ghost
folder you receive a variation of the above error message. And then there
are the folders that have subfolders in them and that I try to move, only to
find out that I can't move all the subfolders because of a variation of the
message above. And then there are those folders I can't delete because of
the below error message:
"Cannot delete (file name): Access is denied.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not
currently in use."
Checking the file thru Properties there is no indication it is
write-protected, I have plenty of space on my hard drive, and as I have
already indicated, the only other people that have ever touched my computer
are the people who built it and packed it for shipping to me, so no one else
has access or would be using those files. The only cure to the above
problems is to restart my computer. Consequently, to keep from restarting
over and over all day long, I keep a piece of paper on my desk and record the
names of all the folders I was blocked from doing anything with that day, and
at the end of the day, I restart the computer and go back to those folders to
delete, move, or rename them. And if I succeed in removing the folders I
wanted to remove, I sometimes run into another error message when I try to
dump them from the Recycle bin. I can't replicate that message right now,
but it refers to the file and tells me it cannot be deleted because "file is
not empty". This is a new one that wasn't in Windows 98 SE. Since when do
you need to empty a file before sending it to the Recycle bin in order to be
able to delete it permanently???
As I've also already indicated, this was a minor and occasional problem with
my previous computer and Windows 98 SE. But with the purchase of my new
computer and the XP Home that came with it, the frequency of these error
messages went from the 3 or 4 times a week with Windows 98 SE to 6 or more
times a day with the XP. I would have expected an improvement with the newer
version of Windows. Instead matters have gotten worse. Which leaves me
wondering whether I dare even consider purchasing Windows Vista. I would go
back to Windows 98 SE and install it on my new computer if it were compatible
with all my other non-Windows software. Unfortunately it isn't.
Suggestions???
ED Y'S RESPONSE:
Without seeing the message, I'd wager to guess that it's telling you that
another application or piece of software on your machine is using the file.
Until you ID what that is, you'll never solve your problem.
MY RESPONSE:
Well, I downloaded a program called WhoLockMe, which when used on the file I
get the error message on is supposed to indicate who is locking me out of
that file. That program gave me Windows Explorer as the culprit. I reloaded
my Windows 98 SE to resolve this issue, to no avail. I've been reluctant to
reload Windows XP, but if you think it will work with this version of Windows
when it wouldn't with 98 SE, I'll give it a try. What do you think?
DAAVE'S RESPONSE:
You say you are trying to delete a file you "haven't touched in months."
And these "ghostly"-looking folders sound like hidden folders you have chosen
deliberately to unhide. If you are trying to delete system files, Windows
(rightly) won't let you do it.
Again, *be specific*. Which files are you trying to delete? And why?
What are the names of the folders you have written down?
Do you perform regular maintenance on your PC? See:
www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm
MY RESPONSE:
The only reason I specified problems deleting files I "haven't touched in
months", is because I noticed this error message occurs more often with files
I've visited during the course of that very day. Whether that has any
relevance to the problem, I don't know. But I wanted it clear that files I
haven't visited in months are also affected.
As for the ghost files, none of those files, I repeat, none of those files
are system or program files. They are files of my own creation with titles
such as Genealogy (containing census forms and pictures of ancestors),
Angelina Jolie (containing pictures of Angelina Jolie), Arthur's files
(containing letters from a dead cousin), Avatars (containing avatars for
membership sites I belong to), etc. etc. Nothing in any of the files is of a
software nature. When I transfer a file from one location to another, even
though the folder transfers successfully, a file is sometimes left in the old
location. But the file is not a clearly definable folder, but looks indeed
like the hidden folder you referred to or like a folder after you've clicked
Cut and before you've Pasted it elsewhere. And this ghost folder cannot be
deleted without a restart. Any attempt to delete it will lead to the
previously mentioned error message about someone else using it.
As for the regular maintenance question, I performed two defrags of the hard
drive prior to 4 months ago, when I purchased Windows Live OneCare, at which
time I set it up to do a full tune-up once a month, which it has been doing
ever since (the last time on 28 January). Those tune-ups over the last four
months have had no effect on the problem. More questions? Any suggestions?
"Daave" wrote:
genedale wrote:.
I might have a file I haven't touched in months and decide I no
longer need. When I try to delete it, the below response pops up on
the screen.
"Cannot remove folder (name of the folder): It is being used by
another person or program.
Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."
Similar versions of the above message pop up from time to time when I
decide to rename or move a file. And occasionally, even when I
successfully move a file, an empty folder is left behind looking
ghostly, like a folder that has been cut for cut and paste, and when
you try to delete that empty ghost folder you receive a variation of
the above error message. And then there are the folders that have
subfolders in them and that I try to move, only to find out that I
can't move all the subfolders because of a variation of the message
above. And then there are those folders I can't delete because:
"Cannot delete (file name): Access is denied.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file
is not currently in use."
You say you are trying to delete a file you "haven't touched in months."
And these "ghostly"-looking folders sound like hidden folders you have
chosen deliberately to unhide. If you are trying to delete system files,
Windows (rightly) won't let you do it.
Again, *be specific*. Which files are you trying to delete? And why?
What are the names of the folders you have written down?
Do you perform regular maintenance on your PC? See:
www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm
- References:
- Re: File problems
- From: Daave
- Re: File problems
- From: genedale
- Re: File problems
- From: Daave
- Re: File problems
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