One, the elementary but could be overlooked. Make sure the folder attributes is not configed so it can not be deleted.

It suffers from the classic "can't make it anything other than read-only but actually it is writeable" thing that XP gets now and then. Manually unticking "read only" doesn't make a difference. The drive is writeable, etc. No weird disk management stuff going on.

And cutting and pasting doesn't work. It'll copy it, and then fail when the deleting occurs.

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http://www.overheardinnewyork.com (possibly NSFW)

What happens is: Create duplicate folder -> copy files across -> attempt to delete empty folder, which fails. So I get the folder moved, files intact, but the original becomes undeletable.

One, the elementary but could be overlooked. Make sure the folder attributes is not configed so it can not be deleted.

But, you could also try “Cuting” the folder then “pasting” it where you want. That is, move it instead of copy it. I would be curious to know if it works.

*edit*
Also, I do not know what program you use to find and kill the handles, but try this one:
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.html
And then do a search on the handle for the folder and see if it really is only explorer.exe. Explorer.exe might be what “translates” it to hard drive, but another program could be telling explorer.exe to do it.


“I find the most erotic part of the female anatomy is the boobies.” -Zap

This comment was edited on Aug 24, 11:50.

If you are killing the handles and can work with them that means at least you do not at least have to use the move on boot or use a different OS. But if you kill the handles and they come back, it tends to mean something is accessing it for some reason.

A bit of further digging (thanks for the program :)) reveals that it's the folder itself, not the contents that is the problem item. If I try to move a folder containing 15 MP3s, the procedure should be: Create duplicate folder -> copy files across -> delete empty original folder.

What happens is: Create duplicate folder -> copy files across -> attempt to delete empty folder, which fails. So I get the folder moved, files intact, but the original becomes undeletable.

What happens according to Filemon:

Copies (a combination of OPEN and QUERYINFORMATION requests)
Realises there's nothing left in the folder (NO MORE FILES)
Notifies "CLEANUP" (a "change notify")
Tries to read the folder again (INVALID DEVICE REQUEST, Offset: 0, Length 24)
Followed by 2 buffer overflows. This is when the "cannot delete folder" message pops up.

All of the above are part of the explorer.exe process.

I have turned off all background programs (firewalls, Google desktop etc) and disabled MS fast indexing.

A weird one. Just as well I was thinking of reformatting the Windoze partition...

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http://www.overheardinnewyork.com (possibly NSFW)

Anyone know a) why this happens? b) if it's possible / how you stop it reliably, once and for all?

Since Explorer is what's locking them up, I'd guess it's because Explorer "sniffs" each file to read tags and display additional info. Dunno why it's hanging on to them though -- my guess is that it's choking on some tag information (bad tags maybe?).

Possible solutions:
1) Beat Explorer into not doing the sniffing. I think I've seen an option for this somewhere, but I don't recall where.

2) Don't use Explorer to reorganize. Either do it via command line or with some other file browser.

Found one relevant link:
http://www.ezsoftmagic.com/mp3splitter/mp3splitter_support.htm

I don't know if this combination is safe to use on your dog unfortunately.

I think the bigger problem is the spot where HTWD yakked before Blue could administer some anti-skunk spray. That spot should be "safe" to clean, although if it's carpet then you may end up bleaching a spot permanently.

Of course, if it's carpet then it may be in the pad and you're just screwed.

Love Mythbusters (the last episode w/ escaping planes rocked), but the Skunk episode wasn't particularly good since they couldn't get the skunk to actually spray.

Anyone know a) why this happens? b) if it's possible / how you stop it reliably, once and for all?

A) Because Windows XP sucks.
B) Boot in safe mode.

Creston

A) Because Windows XP sucks.

True dat’.

B) Boot in safe mode.

Not all of those problems can be solved that way. If closing the handle solves it, then the boot mode should work. Sometimes safemode/killing handles, and all does not work!

If you are killing the handles and can work with them that means at least you do not at least have to use the move on boot or use a different OS. But if you kill the handles and they come back, it tends to mean something is accessing it for some reason.

Try this program:
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Filemon.html

Do the batch kill of the handles and see if when they come back some program (other than explorer) is trying to access em.

“I find the most erotic part of the female anatomy is the boobies.” -Zap
This comment was edited on Aug 24, 09:10.

I think hydrogen peroxide acts like bleach?

Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent. Blonde HTWD anyone

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http://www.overheardinnewyork.com (possibly NSFW)

.

This comment was edited on Jun 23, 2009, 16:17.

I'm currently in the process or reorganising my large collection of music, but have been struck down with the dreaded XP "cannot move this file or folder, it's in use" message. Having downloaded the great Unlocker program I can, one by one, free up each folder from explorer.exe (Process ID: 192, various handles) and move each one separately but this is a very very tedious process.

Anyone know a) why this happens? b) if it's possible / how you stop it reliably, once and for all?

Unlocking every single file in one go doesn't work - give it a minute and they're all back, locked again.

As usual, no viruses, no spyware etc.

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http://www.overheardinnewyork.com (possibly NSFW)

My cousin's dog (english setter) attacked a porcupine in upstate NY once. It was such a scene. We were in the middle of nowhere, and it took an hour just to get the dog to the vet in Utica. Apparently it's pretty common occurence in the veterinary world to do a "quill job".

The dog didn't look as bad as the photo of that pitbull, but still pretty horrible...

That's what happens when the red mist descends on a pitbull - they block out pain. Which is why they're so frickin' dangerous when they attack kids (or indeed adults)... they just don't give up. To be fair, that can be said about a lot of dogs, but it seems pitbulls are unnaturally aggressive and more likely to bite someone's face off

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http://www.overheardinnewyork.com (possibly NSFW)

Oh man that's nasty, if my dog came home looking like that I'd freak. I'm surprised it didn't lose at least one eye.

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"We're innocent critters squashed on the highway of life!"

Ugh, you had to post the picture of that dog. I saw it a week ago from a friend who does a lot of photoshopping....I swore it was a fake until I saw it appear elsewhere. I mean, c'mon, that dog obviously went back for more; remind me never to mess with that dog.

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"Pain, or damage don't end the world, or despair, or fuckin' beatin's. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back." -Al Swearengen

Guild Wars: Alia Arjel Mo/N

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/blog/16

Bowie's a sharp guy...always hawking something.



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GW: Nilaar Madalla, lvl 20 R/Mo / Xylos Gath, lvl 10 W/Mo

Don't look at me that way. It was An Honest Mistake. http://www.thebravery.com/