Topic: error message

[plucks]

i am trying to delete some things off my computer, but it wont let me.  i get the error message:
"cannot delete ace.dll:  Access denied...make sure disk is not full or currently in use"

there are a couple other similar messages all regarding a dll file.  

any idea on how to get around this?

thanks
phil

[Simp-Dawg]

why are you deleting dll files?  are you  uninstalling a program?  make sure no programs are running.

[junkbondking]

shudn't this thread be moved to the technical board

[Nick in Edinboro]

Are you trying to just delete the Adobe Photoshop folder?

[mattb]

The answer is to make the file not in use anymore. If it's an application that put's it's self in the Add/Remove Control panel you should be able to remove it that way. If the file is in use then it will be queued up for deletion on the next reboot.

If you don't have that option, depending on your OS and filesystem you could reboot into safe mode or safe mode DOS prompt and try deleting it then.

Another approach is to find out what loads the dll. I've successfully deleted in use dlls by searching the registry for that dll name and deleting any references to it. Be cafeful with this one and backup first as you can also cripple your system.

FYI: I write installer/uninstaller applications as part of my job.

[plucks]

since my computer is the "house" computer, it gets a lot of use from roomates or friends who stop by.
So, there's a lot of accumulated junk on their.  In this case, there are random folders from programs that install themselves when visiting spam sites.  
I only got a few removed when going to control panel>remove programs.
The others only have folders.  When i click on the main folder, click delete, i get that error message about dll files cannot be deleted, so the entire folder remains.
any ideas?

[Nick in Edinboro]

So, there's a lot of accumulated junk on their.  In this case, there are random folders from programs that install themselves when visiting spam sites.

If that's the case and your trying to remove them get some software like Ad-Aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/).

[mattb]

Yup Ad-Aware is great. Install it and then be sure to update it right away. It will most likely take care of all of this for you.

If it were my PC, I'd set it to auto-login using a very limited account that can't install software. Then I'd have my own account that I could switch to and do whatever I wanted. That should help cut down on the crap. Autologin is really easy to set up if you download TweakUI (par of PowerTools) for your OS from M$. It's free.  

[plucks]

thanks you 2!
+Ts

Phil