There are a few files I have that I can't delete. It says that I am currently using the file when i try to delete it but I can't seem to figure out what it is. What do you guys think?

Boot into safe mode and delete the files. Most of the time that'll fix your problem.

Brandon Cisneros

That didnt work for either of the files i wanted to delete

Are they protected? Right click them and then go to "Preferences." If "Read Only" is checked, uncheck it. That could be it.

Brandon Cisneros

Try booting into DOS and deleting from there, if not mabey they are a virus?

What OS are you using and what file system... i.e. fat32, NTFS...

What are the file names?

Quote: Originally Posted by Gamma_Goblin Are they protected? Right click them and then go to "Preferences." If "Read Only" is checked, uncheck it. That could be it. Brandon Cisneros

"Read Only" wasn't checked

Quote: Originally Posted by FeRaL What OS are you using and what file system... i.e. fat32, NTFS...

windows xp pro, NTFS

Quote: Originally Posted by pimp_joose What are the file names?

one of them is "awdflash.exe" and the other is a avi video

I know this may sound oldschool but I have my Windows ME startup boot disk. If you boot from the A drive and load a dos shell you should be able to delete the files from that. It bypasses all the silly foulups that XP may have that are preventing you from deleting those files. I had to use that method to get rid of some junk when I first upgraded to XP

vf - too bad DOS can't read from NTFS drives. You'll need some sort of NTFS-DOS driver to do that.

Dan: Boot to safe mode command prompt only and try and delete the files from there.

Did you recently flash your BIOS? The exe you're having trouble with is used to flash an Award BIOS. Weird that it's 'in use'. Maybe you have a virus?

Quote: Originally Posted by pimp_joose vf - too bad DOS can't read from NTFS drives. You'll need some sort of NTFS-DOS driver to do that. Dan: Boot to safe mode command prompt only and try and delete the files from there. Did you recently flash your BIOS? The exe you're having trouble with is used to flash an Award BIOS. Weird that it's 'in use'. Maybe you have a virus?

I attempted to upgrade bios but I don't think I was successful


This is newb but if I boot in safe mode command prompt can you help me with the commands that I am soppose to type.

no problem...

when at the command prompt, type the following

cd\

This brings you to the root of your C: drive.

Use "dir" to get a listing of files and folders, and use "cd" to change directories, like this:

cd windows (would change directory to the windows directory)

If there is a space in the directory you need to access (like Program Files) then use the cd command like this:

cd program* (changes directory to Program Files)

When you get to the directory that has the files you need to delete, use the "dir" command to get a listing of the files in that directory, then use the "del" command like this:

del awflash.exe

Make sure that you're typing the file names accurately - there is no 'Recycle Bin' in command prompt - once it's gone, it's gone.

When you're done, type "exit", then ctrl-alt-delete to bring up the Task Manager which will have the shutdown button.

Ooops,sorry hadn't thought of that. I still have mine running fat32 and overlooked the difference. My bad.

you should definitely think about changing that to NTFS, especially if you're running a large drive (unless you're dual booting with 98) it's not hard...just requires a reboot.

Go Start, Run, CMD and type the following into the command prompt:

convert c: /fs:ntfs

Reboot, the conversion takes place, and you're cool now.

Well, I get to hang my head in embarisment. Did what you suggested and found I am already running the ntfs system. I musta updated to that last time I reinstalled windows and not remembered doing it. I tried my ME disk and shur nuff it doesn't see anything on C drive. Ooops again.

the DOS method works but I have found an easier way. This works for Windows XP and I'm not sure about the other OS'. What I did was opened the program and then opened up my Tast manager and then on the process of the thing I wanted to delete I right clicked and "end process tree" and then after that I just deleted the file how I normally do. I hope this helps anyone who ever comes up to have this problem ^_^

If I remember correctly your not suppose to run awdflash.exe while your in Windows. I could be wrong because I haven't updated my BIOS since early January.

If your not sure on how to update your BIOS, read the instructions before doing so. Otherwise it can get uglier than Madeleine Albright.