Can't delete a file

[Jaimin]

I have a video file that I cannot delete from my drive. Everytime I try it says that some other program is using the file. However I have tried quitting all programs in task manager and even tried starting in safe mode, but I can't delete it. I would appreciate any help, cause its just annoying that I can't delete it.

Thanks

Jaimin

 

[jackschmittusa]

Delete it from a command line boot.

 

[Jaimin]

I tried booting into recovery console, but when I tried the DIR command, it said that windows couldn't resolve the directory, so I couldn't even browse my drive. I also tried a win 98 boot disk, but that was stupid since I am in NTFS. Are there any other options for booting into a command line so I can delete this file?

Thanks

Jaimin

 

[pyrojunkie]

There is a problem that XP exhibits in deleting or moving broken .avi files, it won't let you.
The reason is when an AVI file is clicked on/highlighted, shmedia.dll by default reads the entire contents of the file before allowing any access to the file. Basically what this means is: as soon as you right-click a broken .avi file, shmedia.dll hangs and won't allow further file access to delete the broken file.

Simply delete the following registry key to prevent Explorer from loading shmedia.dll in response to file queries on these files."

"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}\InProcServer32 "

Reboot and you should be able to delete the file.

 

[MrJazz]

When you click a file, Windows reads the information about the file, and displays it in your status bar. Because video files are ussually pretty large, it takes some time for Windows to display general information (name, size, length,...).

The solution is very simple: when you click a file that is large in size, wait until it displays it's properties in the status bar. When it does that, just simply delete the file.

// if it reports "access denied" you have to get the required permissions (modify, change, full control,...).

 

[pyrojunkie]

MrJazz did you even read my post? I gave him the exact answer. Your answer isn't even right.

 

[Jaimin]

pyrojunkie, thanks a lot, that's amazing that you knew that. It worked perfectly. But as a follow up, do I need to replace that registry key? Or is it not necessary. Thanks for the help.

Jaimin

 

[pyrojunkie]

It is not necessary to replace it. I have had several incomplete .avi files. Also know many people who have had this problem. It should be stickied.

 

[Jaimin]

Great. Thanks, I apreciate the help.

Jaimin

 

[MrJazz]

pyrojunkie: with all your respect, I read your post, your answer is right, I agree.

I had the same problem, and I fixed it as I described in my post above. If you wait for the properties of the file to appear, you can delete it. It worked for me, try it yourself, if you don't believe it.

Regards