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Delete File in Use

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by sheryl v

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I have a ntuser.dat file on my home directory. I have ownership of the file.
It says it's in use but Server Manager does not show it as open. Server is NT4.0 SP4. File system is ntfs, I have given full permissions to another admin, completely logged out, removed all attribs, restored a different ntuser.dat file from tape back up, tried a dos delete & deltree.

No matter what tricks I try to pull out of my hat I still get "Error file in use" or the likes. Again I have check every avenue to be sure it is not in use.

Any tricks tools, share ware, or anything that will let me delete this file? I also checked it for viruses etc.

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

12 replies

by parbo

It sounds silly but how does a file rename react to this and maybe then you can delete it...

by sheryl v

I had already tried rename, same error message! But I do appreciate the posting, not sure where the original comment expressing gratititude & the fact that I had already been there done that went! SO here's round 2. Thanks again, but I already tried it.

by duwaned

Log out of your machine, change the permissions on the file from the server so that only the Domain administrator has rights (i.e. remove your permissions), restart the server, then login on the server as domain Administrator and delete the file from the folder where it resides.

NT sometimes locks files that have been used, and does not unlock them until a reboot.

If this fails, you will need to get hold of a some sort of DOS NTFS client, and boot the server off the client disk, and delete the file.

It is not normal to be deleting ntuser.dat files though. Are you guys running roaming profiles? If so, you shouldn't be deleting this file! It is Hkey-CurrentUser in the registry.

Hope this helps.

Regards.
Duwane

by sheryl v

Unfortunately rebooting the server for one mucked up roaming user profile is not an option. It is a BDC & currently has 24-7 operations. My profile happens to be completely hosed, & has been for quite sometime... I can do a clean re-seed, & everything is rosy for the day of the reseed. Soon after that I lose the ability to use ActiveX controls in Office Aps (very important to my job)
We have the technology, we can rebuild it. Hah!

Any other ideas? I feel like a kid playing the hot/cold game & we're finally getting warmer! :)

by jcurl

I would guess that some user is still using that profile. Or, you may have a service set up to use that user's account to start. If that service is running, that user profile is loaded. Open the registry and look under HKEY_USERS to see the SID for currently loaded profiles. You can view HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/ProfileList to match up the SID to user names.
Check the running Services to see if any use a user account. Lastly, UPGRADE TO SP6 ;-)

Later,
Jeremy P, MCSE

by sheryl v

Ntuser.dat file is only a back-up/synchronization deal on home directory on bdc. If I am not logged in anywhere, everything should have been written back up to it done. 2 PC's that I use were both completely powered down. I was NOT logged in. Yesterdays objective was to wipe my slate clean. i.e., get rid of roaming profile & start over as default user. Mission complete, I'm only a local goddess, prob required corporate intervention, but I learned from your answer so you get the points. I don't feel right rejecting all! ;)

by destiny's child

I think you should start your computer in safe mode at start up. Go to your registry and search for all instances of the file you wish to delete.log off then log back on then you may delete the file. Please ensure to make a backup of your registry in the event that any thing screws up.

by sheryl v

File to delete is on server. Safe mode won't cut it. ntuser.dat is part of roaming profile. No problems killing file on hrad drive, problem was killing it on home directory on server.

I do appreciate the effort tho! Thanx!

by anticnz

1/ Check that you are not logged into any other PCs (it is your profile?)
2/ Using another admin account go to the Server Control Panel and check for any in-use connections, locked files or user connections under your logon(disconnect manually if necessary)
Malcolm

by sheryl v

Had already been there & done that... which is why the high point value assigned. Server manager had nothing about "In Use". Strange, but thanks for the answer.

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