can't delete file

[rfdumayas]

i downloaded a program from the nga website named ww15mgh.exe...i downloaded it from http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/wgs84/g ... egm96.html (a us government website; it's one of the files listed)...it's used for geoid height grid generation, in other words, geeky stuff...i was done using it and one day decided to delete it...but when i attempt to delete it, windows always says:

Error Deleting File or Folder
Cannot delete ww15mgh: It is being used by another person or program.
Close any programs that might be using the file and try again.

i've tried deleting it from safe mode and from the command prompt, but the same error is always displayed...i'm pretty sure this program isn't a virus or a worm or spyware (unless the us government wants to spy on an undergraduate student from the philippines)...i've checked my hjt log and nothing seems to be wrong, i.e., no entry in the log corresponds to the said program being loaded...i've also checked msconfig, nothing there, too...i've tried searching online for people having the same problem that i have, but found nothing...wish somebody could help me with this one...thanks...

edit:
by the way, if it's of any help, i'm using windows xp home edition sp3 (updated from windows xp home edition sp2 oem)...

[PcTestCard.com]

Seems that the certain startup program locked the file you intended to delete.

try, Start - Run - "msconfig" then press enter, select Startup, deselect all check boxes and reboot (please write down which boxes have been checked, you need to recheck those boxes later), when you back to desktop, delete the file and go back to the same "startup" tab above, select the previous necessary checkboxes and reboot!

[Gecko]

rfdumayas,

Have you tried deleting the file from safe mode?

Reboot into Safe mode:
Restart Windows after you see the BIOS screen and before Windows starts to load.
Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears.
Use the Arrow key to ensure that the Safe Mode option is selected.
Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.

[rfdumayas]

@Gecko: yes, i've tried deleting it from safe mode (as described), but it still can't be deleted...

@PcTestCard.com: will try your suggestion in a bit...thanks for the suggestion...

edit:

@PcTestCard.com: have just tried your suggestion, disabling everything (except for some services that windows won't give me access to), restarting, and trying to delete it again, but it still doesn't work...

[Axelation]

you can try booting from a linux live cd of your choosing, then delete it from there. After you delete it though, you may want to run reg seeker and search for that program name in the registry and delete any registry keys associated with it to avoid error messages on start up.

[icecube]

Hi rfdumayas

write down the complete directory address of the file you need to delete

Open up a dos window. Click on start--> run--> and type in cmd. Do a cd \ to get to the root. at the root type in cd and hit the space bar once. Now hit the tab key until you see the first part of the address come up and hit enter, type in cd and space again and tab until you get to the directory where the file exists. Repeat the process until you get the desired directory. Leave the window open and move it to the top left of the screen. Now do a control alt delete and bring up the task manager. Move it to bottom Right so you can use both screens. Select processes tab. Highlight explorer.exe and hit end process. Leave that window open. Mouse click on the Dos window and if you're at the right place type "del [filename]" After you delete or rename it, mouse click task manager and click on File (top left) and select New Task (Run) and type in explorer.exe. Windows should come back up.

This works real well on some limewire files when they are over 256 characters. Windows chokes on long names.

[rfdumayas]

@icecube: wow!!! that actually worked!!! the file's finally deleted...thanks!!!