My neighbour has The Last samurai on his computer as an avi file. He wants to remove it but everytime he clicks on it it practically locks up his computer. It says that another program is using the file and to end that program first. But there is nothing else running to use it. It will not play, it will not delete and he cant move it anywhere else. Cpu usage jumps to 100% and stays there. Now I have seen the film on dvd and I know that Tom Cruise plays a pretty tough character but who would have thought that the file would be just as tough. Anyone got any ideas? P.S. He thought my offer of half a pound of semtex was unnecesary as he's just finished decorating his computer room.
Hi, I'd roll with the semtex. Alternatively, has he tried booting into safe mode then try to delete it?
Besides trying to delete it in safe mode (which usually works) I've also had luck deleting files like this by either doing it from the command prompt, or in the rare case where neither of those methods has worked, creating a new directory, moving the file to that directory, and then deleting the new directory.
There is also a popular program called Move On Boot, it will delete the file before the process even has a chance to run.
A very good product for when NTFS isn't playing is called NTFS for DOS http://www.ntfs.com/products.htm Basically you boot the PC in DOS with the program and it can read the NTFS file system. you then use the standard DOS commands to delete the program If you don't know DOS commands go to http://www.computerhope.com/msdos.htm You only need to understand how to change drives where it says A:\ - type C:\ you then get the C:\ the show Directory DIR C:\ type DIR the CD command = Create Directory e.g. C:\ type CD\Windows C:\windows\ type DIR and finally the delete function del filename.avi Hope that helps Phil
Forgot to say - the normal windows DOS Prompt should be tried first as it will probably work - Start Progams Accesories Command Prompt
