Program dependancy issue

[Pacman555]

OK, basically what's happening is, with certain files the computer isn't allowing me to move them around or rename them, claiming 'Another program or person is using this file. Close any programs which might be using the file and try again'.

The odd thing is, often if i just keep on retrying again and again renaming/moving one of these problem files, it sometimes just works, for no apparent reason. Strange, mm?

I assumed the files had this dependancy because the ones in question had been downloaded from *cough* Bittorrent, but I've just tried moving another file (the clip of David Brent doing 'the dance' i ripped off my DVD ages ago) and that did it too!

So, anyone know how can I can solve this problem?

Cheers in advance!
Joe

PS Yes of course I've closed by BT client and any other programs before trying it you spanner :P.

[Crispin]

Restart the computer. Then move the files. With certain files, such as dlls, even if the computer has finished using the programs that use these, it stills think the dll is in use.

[kona]

You might get away without restarting your PC. Sometimes the Bittorent program keeps running in the background even if you close it. Go to the Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Del and click on the Task Manager button), and select the Processes tab (not Applications which is selected by default). Search the list for something that looks like bittorrent, the exact name depends on what client you're using. For the Shadow client the process iscalled "btdownloadgui". Select it and press the End Process button. You should be able to move your files after that.

[Ginger Tosser]

Restart computer and logon as the administrator then rename/move them.

[Dirty Sanchez]

No doubt the files will be video media. Windows is trying to build the thumbnail for the file, thus reading it. If the file is partially downloaded then this can effecticely lock the file.

There is a registry fix that can be applied to stop windows doing this.

Google is your friend.

[Tom Salter]

Right click on my computer, go to manage, shared folders, open files. Close them from there. Saves a reboot.

[Pacman555]

Cheers for the replies! Nope, restarting/logging in as admin etc won't work, some of these files have been on my computer a week or two therefore have been through a good few restarts etc anyway, and I'm the administrator. Your idea won't work either Boog, they're not open :S, handy trick anyway, cheers .

You're right Dirty Sanchez, they are video files, and I think you're on the right lines. I'm off to google as we speak . . .

[Ginger Tosser]

If your the Administrator, setup an account with administrative priviledges and log on with that to do the delete thing.

Or reboot into safe mode and try there. Nothing should be locked.

[ascender]

I've had this quite a few times with XP, even just with plain old folders that it refuses to delete. A reboot sometimes does it but occasionally I just have to wait a few days and try again. Admin privileges on a different account make no difference at all, I think its just one of XP's little foibles. i.e. Bugs.

[MartyG]

If you just give XP a min to finish trying to create thumb nails, or preview you'll be able to move them just fine.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Here are the links -

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/1209/

http://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/100406.php

If the file is corrupt then WinXP never gets to release the file, locked forever as it tries to reread the AVI time and time again.