Need help deleting some files

[gateways_rule]

Hey guys,
I have three files on my computer that says file is in use when I try to delete them. However, no program or anything is using these files. Can you tell me how to delete them? Thanks!

[chris54]

Have you tried deleting them in safe mode?

[gateways_rule]

Good idea! Do you get into safe mode the same way you would in Windows 98? I have never gotten into safe mode in Windows XP.

[chris54]

Ummm... I guess so? I've never gone into safe mode in XP either.

[gateways_rule]

I just got into Safe Mode and I tried to delete the files. It said the same thing, this file is being used by another program. Please close the program and delete it again. I downloaded these three files off of Direct Connect and it won't let me delete them.

[SkyDog]

You can boot to your Windows XP CD, go to the Recovery Console, and delete the files from the command line.

[Spineshank]

Or you can download a file shredding program that should work for ya.

[splurgedsturgeon]

Alternatively, you can try ending suspicious looking processes, including anything related to dc and/or kazaa... it's worked for me in the past.

[gateways_rule]

Originally posted by Spineshank
Or you can download a file shredding program that should work for ya.

What's this? I have never heard of one before.

[Spineshank]

I forget what i have but go to download.com and search for file shredder. What it does is deletes the file without sending it to the recycle bin but it uses its own thing and not windows so it can delete files that windows says you cant.

[Isezumi]

Originally posted by gateways_rule
Hey guys,
I have three files on my computer that says file is in use when I try to delete them. However, no program or anything is using these files. Can you tell me how to delete them? Thanks!

Can you tell us what the files are, perhaps if we know about them we can tell you what programs could be using them.

I would not recommend a file shredding program until you know more about what you are deleting. There is nothing more exciting then deleting a critical system file that you didnt know you really needed. Or something that has trained the OS to think that it is a critical system file.

[Frostburn]

msconfig will allow you to boot up in safe mode ( Start> Run > msconfig > general > diagnostic start up ) You can boot up via safe mode that way. While you're there make sure there aren't any malicious programs on start up. ( click selective start up on the general page, then click on the start up )

Check this webpage to identify what they are:
http://www.lafn.org/webconnect/mento...p/PENINDEX.HTM

If you dont remember putting it there, it's a good bet you can do without it.

And of course theres always adaware www.lavasoft.de

Good luck

[GregBu]

Or if you have a Win95 boot disk (not the emergency repair disk) laying around, you can boot to command line, and axe the files.

[gateways_rule]

I downloaded a file shredder program from www.download.com and that got rid of the files. Thanks for all of your help!