Help - can't delete a file (aflash.exe)

[bernse]

Running XP. I downloaded and unzipped AFLASH.EXE to my desktop (I needed to email it to a PC I am re-building). Now though, I cannot delete it. I always get an error that it is in use. It's just the DOS file.

I have re-booted several times, and I still can't delete it. I looked in my startup and kind find anything that would be "using" it right from a reboot. I've also tried diagnostic startup and I still can't delete it then.

Any ideas?

 

[JuanT]

Can you move the file to say the root C:\ drive?

That way, if you boot up and do the whole console thing you can use del aflash.exe there.

If that doesn't work, try the good ol' drag-drop to the recycle bin (instead of shift-del). It's worked for me at times, as well as randomly shutting down processes from ctrl-alt-del's Task Manager.

 

[bernse]

Tried dragging to the recycle and that wouldn't, but it is letting me drag it to C:. I'll try to boot in DOS and see what happens. Thanks.

 

[JBDan]

Delete it under "safe mode" and if that doesnt work pull up task manager and end the process. Then you may delete it.

 

[imported_bushman]

aye jbdan. safe mode is good.

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: JBDan
Delete it under "safe mode" and if that doesnt work pull up task manager and end the process. Then you may delete it.

I'm trying safe mode next. When I booted (or tried) to but with a DOS disk I couldn't see my HD.. probably because its NTFS I suppose.

I tried to find the application to kill it, but it doesn't show in my processes.... is safe mode for XP selected by holding down F8 like in Win98?

 

[JuanT]

F8 or F5, a screen should pop up.

 

[bernse]

Got it. Booted to safe mode command prompt and deleted it from there. Thanks guys.

Any idea what could have been "using" that file every reboot?

 

[Amaroque]

I think windows was just confused. Nothing could be using aflash in windows.

 

[Stas]

You can always use Process Explorer by Sysinternals to view what process is using a certain file (Find/Find DLL...).