files I can't delete!

[jubalee]

Hi, I've just inherited a notebook computer that has some annoying files (porn, or so I think, from Kazaa) that I can't delete. It's driving me crazy, because it's my school computer. When I right-click, I can either open or send, but those are my only options. And another file I can't delete at all--Windows thinks that something is using it. Please help! Thanks thanks thanks!

[shamus]

Originally posted by jubalee
Hi, I've just inherited a notebook computer that has some annoying files (porn, or so I think, from Kazaa) that I can't delete. It's driving me crazy, because it's my school computer. When I right-click, I can either open or send, but those are my only options. And another file I can't delete at all--Windows thinks that something is using it. Please help! Thanks thanks thanks!

press F8 while the machine boots and choose 'safe mode' see if you can delete them then.
BTW...why is their porn on your school computer

[jubalee]

ok, I'll try F8--so I just push F8 during the starting when it says WinXP? and I just got the computer from a cousin--so who knows what's on there. Thanks!

[shamus]

Originally posted by jubalee
ok, I'll try F8--so I just push F8 during the starting when it says WinXP? and I just got the computer from a cousin--so who knows what's on there. Thanks!

<b>before</b> it says WinXp...start the machine and hold down the F8 key...good luck. Let us know how it goes...
Welcome to Windrivers!

[jubalee]

ok, so that worked for one file--and the other ones I can't delete at all. And when I tried to delete it from the files menu it couldn't. also I tried to look at the "properties" and it didn't work! It said like it had 0 bytes, which I take to be a BAD thing. And thank you for the welcome. This is so cool!

[shamus]

okay....try downloading Windows Washer from here: http://www.webroot.com/washer.htm

or

ad aware from http://www.lavasoft.nu

run 'em both.

[geoscomp]

0 byte files that you cant delete are sometimes the mark of a virus infection..can you do an online virus scan?..and do you know if the laptop has a virus program on it and the current virus definitions?..try an online scan first. Try clicking on this link
http://housecall.antivirus.com/
and follow the directions..It will take a bit of time to download first, and then scan the system

[shamus]

Originally posted by geoscomp
0 byte files that you cant delete are sometimes the mark of a virus infection..can you do an online virus scan?..and do you know if the laptop has a virus program on it and the current virus definitions?..try an online scan first. Try clicking on this link
http://housecall.antivirus.com/
and follow the directions..It will take a bit of time to download first, and then scan the system

good call...damn...never thought about a virus

(btw great avatar geoscomp )

[jubalee]

Hi, I have McAfee(?) on my notebook. Doesn't that do the virus check? I'm going to see if I can run it now. Ok, McAfee says that there are no viruses. This is so annoying! But thank you for all your advice!

Juba

[The Computer Valet]

Are the virus defs up to date on that notebook?

I can't tell you how many times I've seen virus software with very out-of-date defs.

[naka-pako]

They are viruses, don't know what kind though. Had some VBS files masked as MP3s from Kazaa once and were a bit hard to delete. I think I got rid of them by deleting from a DOS window or booted to pure DOS with a 98/ME boot diskette. Good luck....d

[DiR[ëctory]]

If you don't need anything on the HD, why not just do a format and install?

[Ya_know]

I presume you have local administrator group membership, or are using the default administrator account. If not, that could be your problem. If so, then you will want to try the recovery console to delete the files you want. You will need to be comfortable with navigating from a command prompt. The recovery console help menu will definitely help if you have any questions.

Here is a link: Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console