[ConsumingHatred]

So I downloaded a .mpg file and it randomly won't delete. When I right-click I can't chose an option to erase nor can I use the menu to erase. I can't rename it and I can't send it to another folder, I've checked it with NOD32 antivirus and it doesn't show any anomalies, I'm completely baffled and I do not know what to do. I tried restoring my system to another date and it won't do so either, I tried various different dates and it just won't.

I have one peculiar thing though, I tried to maybe replace it so I figured how to get it's name so I copy-pasted onto another .mpg to see if I could overwrite the file but it mentioned how the name was too long, maybe that's why I can't erase it but their must be a way?

The only options I get with right-clicking is "Play, add to windows media player list, open with..., and send to..."

Someone please, help me out.

I'm running Windows XP Pro SP2
480mb RAM
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.00Ghz

[1101doc]

The three most commonly used applications for this type problem:
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
http://killbox.net/
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html

[sultan_emerr]

Try rebooting into safe mode, and then deleting it.

[ConsumingHatred]

How do I start in safe mode?

[Aixtase]

Press the F8 key on startup then when confronted with a black page with white writting on it, chose the first option (Safe Mode).

If that doesn't work, I suggest downloading MoveOnBoot here :http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html
with that it will delete the file before any windows program interferes

[ConsumingHatred]

None of these solutions has worked. None of those programs acknowledge its existance and that "moveonboot" program finds it but says it's "invalid". I tried safe mode but it still didn't erase. Anyone got any last ideas?

[sultan_emerr]

It could be because it was downloaded from a file sharing service, or by programs that are enabled to automatically check for updates periodically. If you got it off of P2P, then try deleting it through the P2P; re: if you got the file from a P2P, then you will probably have to go back into the P2P to delete/remove/uninstall it.

DBAN=Darik's Boot and Nuke = DBAN=Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot floppy that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction. = http://dban.sourceforge.net + Note: Also see = BootDisks - PC Support - Essential Utilities = http://bootdisk.com - - http://dban.sourceforge.net

[1101doc]

This sometimes works: Start in Safe Mode. Log in as system Admin. Create a new user account. Move the file to the new account. Delete the entire account. Reboot. If not, and you're going to have to live with it, run it through Virus Total: http://www.virustotal.com/en/indexx.html (Good idea for any suspect file)

Those for whom System Restore just doesn't (and everyone else) should know about ERUNT: http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/ It makes a backup of the entire Registry, and each backup file contains an .exe that does the work without starting the original program. Here's the tutorial: http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-on...runt/erunt.txt It can be set to make a fresh backup at each boot. Good luck, and please post back with your progress

[welshY]

try this free one

http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/index.htm

got rid of mine when the same thing happened

[ozrom1e]

I would like to know the full name of the file? And if it is too long has anybody thought of trying to rename it to a shorter filename and then trying to delete it.

Try this and see if it will let you delete it after you run this:

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=308421

[kaz619]

I had the same exact problem with a file I downloaded to my limewire folder. I finally got rid of it by creating a new folder called limewire2, moving everything that I wanted into the new folder then deleting the limewire folder. I then emptied the recycle bin, removed the 2 from the limewire2 folder and all is good.