Can't Delete a certain file! Help

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Can't Delete a certain file! Help

HardDrive

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#10973 22-Dec-2006 21:21

I have a file called spcustom.dll and update.exe that I cannot delete. These files are there from a service pack update that went wrong(my computer got turned of due to overload from a vacuum cleaner).

I have now got these files sitting on my drive which I cannot delete. The error meesage say's "Cannot delete spcustom.dll: Access denied", however I should have full access on everything on my personal computer.

I have tried deleteing the file normally and several other ways. I have also used a software called "Unblocker" to try and delete the file which was still unsuccessful. with Unblocker I found that the explorer.exe process was stopping it from being able to delete the file.

Please help!!! it has been there for a year now and i'm sick of it.

Thanks.

tallPete

99 posts

Master Geek

#56203 22-Dec-2006 22:14

Try starting your computer in "safe mode", and then try the delete. It may be successful.

HardDrive

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#56207 22-Dec-2006 23:48

Thanks for the reply, ok i tried that and there was no luck deleting the files also. :( any more suggestions.

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#56209 23-Dec-2006 00:12

It sounds to me as though the sectors on your Hard Drive where those files are stored have been damaged during the power outage. One way to solve this problem would be to REFORMAT your hard drive using an UNCONDITIONAL FORMAT. Windows will then mark the damaged sectors preventing them from being used again for files.

This would mean re-installing Windows from scratch. Probably not what you wanted to hear I guess...

There may be another way to do it using Norton System Works or some other utility program which can access your drive at a sector level and map out the bad sectors without needing to reformat. But I am not sure which program (if any) could do this for you. Someone else on GZ who uses such a program can no doubt advise you further.

Cheers,
Grant.

tallPete

99 posts

Master Geek

#56211 23-Dec-2006 00:23

Back in the day, i used to have a DOS boot floppy to fix this sort of thing!

I think booting into safe mode, but only to the command prompt, and then trying the delete using shell/DOS commands would work. I suspect that it wouldn't start explorer and the file would be able to be deleted.

The only time I have seen a file that couldn't be deleted this way was when it was part of a rootkit. It was part of a fake antivirus product that someone unfortunately downloaded. Luckily there was a custom utility to fix this. You might not be so lucky.

Cheers.

Oh, by the way I disclaim responsibility if something on your system needs that file.. :o)

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#56212 23-Dec-2006 00:31

tallPete: Back in the day, i used to have a DOS boot floppy to fix this sort of thing!

I think booting into safe mode, but only to the command prompt, and then trying the delete using shell/DOS commands would work....

Yes! That's a good idea TallPete, definitely worth a try.

Another way is to boot up your system from the Windows XP CD and then use the RECOVERY CONSOLE.

However, it depends exactly where those files are as to whether you can delete them. The Recovery Console will only let you access certain parts of the C: drive.

bradstewart

4335 posts

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Retired Mod

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Lifetime subscriber

#56213 23-Dec-2006 00:35

You may have to take ownership of the files before you can delete them. Right click the file, go to properties and click the security tab.

HardDrive

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#56227 23-Dec-2006 10:48

Thanks for the input everyone. I managed to delete the file now. The weird thing is that I should have had all rights and permissions to the file, I didn't know how to view the permissions to the file in windows xp but I just set it as share with everyone in the network then ticked the box that says "allow others to modify the contents". The file is deleted now. thanks.

One more question tho, how do I view permissions to a certain file on my computer using windows xp, there is a sharing tab under the properties but it does not display any permissions to who can edit or access the file. I know that in windows 2000 server it's easily done but how do you do it in windows xp? Thanks.

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Tarq57

156 posts

Master Geek

#56238 23-Dec-2006 13:57

If you restart xp in safe mode you can access/change any permissions.

HardDrive

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#56249 23-Dec-2006 18:08

Oh ok, thanks.

weblordpepe

460 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#56265 24-Dec-2006 01:13

If an application has its grubby hands on a file/folder and you can't delete it, you can just kill the application's handle on the file.

Use this freeware application:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/ProcessExplorer.mspx

In fact I'm surprised to see it on MS's website. Basically it's task manager but with the functionality you'd expect. With this program you can easily do a keyword search for say 'bum' and you'll get a list of every application which is using a file/network/anything with 'bum' in the word and you can kill it.

You can also pause/resume stuff and see details statistics on stuff which each program is doing. I could go on and on but I need to have a toilet break.

It's a very very leet program.

[Moderator edit (MF): hyperlinked]

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79306 posts

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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#56270 24-Dec-2006 08:31

No need to be surprised with Microsoft offering the software. Microsoft bought Systernals a few months ago, and with the company came their team of (very good) developers. They still offer the same free tools, now on the Technet site.

The Acquisition FAQ is here.

weblordpepe

460 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#57152 7-Jan-2007 13:23

Krikey. Swallowed by a bigger fish, eh. Oh well. MS better keep Process Explorer free

Having a task manager that fancy pants took away the 'whats going on??' effect with Windows. MS better not sneak in stuff like licencing restrictions into it.