Can't Delete Incomplete Downloaded MP3 Files???

[Trebax]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can help with this somewhat simple yep impossible task...

I was using WinMX to download some music files yesterday, when all of a sudden my internet connection crashed. After re-booting my connection (NTL broadband) and my machine I noticed that a dozen or so of the tracks I was downloading were left in my music folder as: -INCOMPLETE- downloads (followed by some numbers).

I proceeded in trying to delete these as I wanted to start again... but every time I tried to delete them it said: 'unable to delet because this file is in use by another programme'.

I can't find any other programmes using these files and I belive it is unlikely that these files are in use... (most of the files sizes are 0k).

But I can't delete or move or do anything with these files... Can anyone help me get rid of them. I've tried everything I know.

Thanks

 

[Marcs41]

Is WinMX running? If , that's what's blocking it.
If not:
Start WinMX again
In the Transfer Window, clik Load incomplete.
You are supposed to see them there.
Ricgtclick them and select Delete file.
That 'should' work. The solution is out there.

 

[Trebax]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply... but WinMX is not runnning and I have removed the imcomplete downloads in the transfer window of WinMX and still I can't delete the incomplete downloads from my music folder.

It's as if these files are locked in someway...? I am sure they are not in use and it's as if the files themselves have an in built code to stop me from deleting them??

 

[Marcs41]

No, they don't have anything built in.
Are you sure there is not anything else running, mediaplayer, winamp, ...
Check with the Taskmanager and close all apps and processes you think are not needed to a bare minimum.
Try deleting again.
Or, try moving them and then deleting The solution is out there.

 

[Trebax]

Hi,

I have already tried task manager and there are no programmes that I know of that could be using them.

But - what else could be using them? I only started to download them from WinMX - I haven't even tried to open them at all. (there are atleast 15 files and they all have the same problem).

I've also tried to move them - but the same message comes up, 'Unable to move as this file is in use by another programme'

Have you got any other ideas? - Is there a function on XP where I can delete files even if they are in use by another programme??

 

[Marcs41]

If they are locked, no.
Try booting in Safe mode, that should not lock the files so you can delete them.
Is the extension of the files .MP3 ? Double-check with a right click - properties. The solution is out there.

 

[Trebax]

The files are Mp3's - I've checked in properties.

I haven't tried re-booting in safe mode yet - thats my next plan of action - thanks!

To re-boot in safe mode do I press F8 after I click restart? I have never done this before... sorry i'm a bit of a novice.

 

[seanos]

if rebooting in safemode doesnt help, Reboot the machine DOS mode and find the files manually and delete them. There wont be any locks on these files then.

Seanos

 

[Trebax]

Thanks - I'll try safe mode and then dos.

However, I've never used DOS before... can you please give me some tips on how to *reboot in dos and then *how to find the files and then *how to delete them.

The files are currently in My Documents/My Music.

Thanks.

 

[thatrenowned]

To get to DOS, you'll need a boot disk, e.g. a Windows 98 Boot Disk.

Once in DOS, you'll be at a prompt which says:

C:\> with a blinking cursor

From here, type

c: <hit enter>

Now type

cd mydocu~1\mymusi~1 <hit enter>

Heres the complicated bit. DOS is limited to 8.3 filenames so if these incomplete mp3's have massive names, you're going to get something like this:

Original Name : testfilename.mp3
New DOS Name : testfil~1.mp3

This is the same reason the directories change.

What I would do is whilst you're in Windows, copy all your 'good' MP3s to a temporary location then boot into DOS mode. Follow the above instructions, and when you get to the 'mymusi~1' directory, type:

del *.mp3 <hit enter>

This will delete all MP3s stored in this directory, which will be OK because all the ones you want to keep are in a different location.

Once the files are deleted, reboot as normal and copy your other files back.

If you need any more help let me know.

Regards

 

[Trebax]

Nice one!!

Thanks very much for this, you have been very helpful. I will try it tonight.

 

[smah]

If your hard drive is formatted with NTFS, a Win98 boot disk won't do any good because you won't be able to read the drive.

 

[Trebax]

Nice one!!

Thanks very much for this, you have been very helpful. I will try it tonight.

 

[Trebax]

... Please tell me how do I do I get into windows XP DOS without a boot disk?

Thanks

 

[smah]

The safemode suggestion should work. If not, take a look here:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

Click the 'D' and scroll down to 'Delete...'

 

[smah]

I wish it wouldn't do that
Try this link:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

 

[Marcs41]

Trebax, you don't need DOS diskettes to boot in safe mode.
Just reboot and keep pressing the F8 key right after the BIOS bootpart.
There, you choose Safe mode.
To delete the files, type:
cd\My Documents/My Music or cd\mydocu~1\mymusi~1
Del xxx.mp3 to remove the files. The solution is out there.

 

[Trebax]

It worked!! I got rid of those damn files, using your tips!

Thanks to everyone for their help

 

[Marcs41]

You're welcome The solution is out there.

 

[Bobg1]

If you have this problem again, with any files for that matter, just try opening a command prompt window and deleting them from there. I know this worked in win2000 and suspect it might in XP.