Help removing a file please

ChrissieI

I have cleared the cookies out of my computer and have noticed a file thats been sitting there for a while that will not delete with the rest.

I just tried to manually delete it but it won't let me it says file being used.

There was nothing running on my computer other than the internet so I turned the computer off and back on again making sure it did not connect to the internet thinking then I could delete this file. It still says I can not delete it

I have tried opening it in word it will let me open a read only version. There is just a couple of pages all just square boxes the sort you get in some spam e-mails. Anyone know how I can delete this file.

I have just installed anti virus software and scanned the computer for viruses its not picking this file up as dodgy should I just leave it I would be happier if I could get rid of it

Any ideas would be welcome
Thanks:beer:

MercilessKiller

Try deleting it in safe mode.

Its possible you have a random piece of spyware thats in use and using that file. If thats the case you may need to use HiJack This in safe mode to disable the spyware, then delete the file.

But before we go into that.. just try deleting it in safe mode

Zahc

What's this file called anyway?

ChrissieI

Its just called DA File
How do I delete in safe mode?

Zahc

To get into safe mode;

* If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
* Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
* Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
* Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected.
* Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
* When you are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.

To use the System Configuration Utility method

* Close all open programs.
* Click Start, Run and type MSCONFIG in the box and click OK
* The System Configuration Utility appears, On the BOOT.INI tab, Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and then click OK and Restart your computer when prompted.
* The computer restarts in Safe mode.
* Perform the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode, open MSCONFIG again, on the BOOT.INI tab, uncheck "/SAFEBOOT" and click OK to restart your computer

When you're in safe mode, navigate to the file in question and try and delete it as normal.

ChrissieI

Thanks for that
The good news is I can now use safe mode
The bad news is that It didn't work still says file in use by another person/program any other ideas please

albertross_2

you can use this to see which program is holding the file open:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/opened_files_view.html

what is the full path and filename.extension of the file?

ChrissieI

albertross wrote:

you can use this to see which program is holding the file open:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/opened_files_view.html

Thank you that is a very useful program to have. I will keep it for future use

Probelm now solved
The file belonged to Zone alarm I used to have it on my computer and thought it had all been removed.

I have also managed to delete a lot of the freebies which came with my computer. I installed them all thinking I would need them now realise that most of it was just junk

Thank you for your replies I have learnt a lot about my computer today

MercilessKiller

lol - another problem caused by zonealarm...

that thing needs to be made illegal !!!!!! - causes more problems than its worth lol.

buy a machine for £20.. install a firewall LINUX OS.. sorted.. ^-^ (or am i just too sad..)

wolfman

MercilessKiller wrote:

buy a machine for £20.. install a firewall LINUX OS.. sorted.. ^-^ (or am i just too sad..)

I'd preferably go with a flavour of BSD.

MercilessKiller

wolfman wrote:

I'd preferably go with a flavour of BSD.

Smoothwall for me :beer: