Need help removing a file from windows 7, safe mode still no luck

[666Wolf666]

Ok for starters I went through the suggestions listed on thread:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/10063-cannot-delete-folder-even-safe-mode.html

I am having a similar issue, however my file I cannot get rid of is simply a single file inside a single folder. The issue I keep getting is the lovely message "This process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process." I have tried restarting, restarting in safe mode, renaming, moving, being in safe mode in Command prompt, etc etc. Even tried Malwarbytes fileASSASSIN program on restart.

My last try was to start in safe mode, type cmd in the search at start menu and hit ctrl + shift + enter. The only processes I had running for the try where csrss.exe, winlogon.exe, cmd.exe, conhost.exe, explorer.exe, taskmgr.exe. I stopped explorer.exe leaving just cmd prompt up in admin and then closed task manager aswell.

Typed-> RD /S /Q "C:\Users\rest of file info"
ENTER
The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

Help me kill this file that just wont seem to die.

 

[Jacee]

Try 'killbox' ...
Download http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/files/killbox.php
Unzip the folder to your desktop.

Start Killbox.exe

When it is open, enter <insert file here> into the field labeled "Full path of file to delete".

Select the Delete on reboot option.

Then press the button that looks like a red circle with a white X in it.

Your computer will reboot and check to see if the file is gone.

 

[666Wolf666]

Sorry for the delayed response, I went on vacation and needless to say I was going to worry about the laptop when I got back. Tried killbox, remove on reboot option (10s countdown to cancel, etc), and sadly no luck. File is still sitting there taking up 712mb

 

[Corazon]

Which file are we talking about? I'm usually able to delete any file/folder if I boot from my Win7 install DVD and go to the command prompt.
Have you tried taking ownership of the file and assigning yourself full access rights? How about Unlocker, did it report any handles locking the file?

 

[666Wolf666]

well some further looking and it seems i have the game freelancer mounted on a virtual hard drive/disk drive. No clue how or when but sure enough its there. I can "eject" but on reboot its right back there showing an extra drive on my computer that isn't there. Opening the virtual drive I can't delete anything inside it. Since the file that I can't remove is freelancer.img I am going to assume they are related. Is in the process of moving files to an external hard drive as its looking more and more likely that I may just want to start with a clean computer.

 

[Corazon]

Seems to me the virtual CDROM software isn't behaving and I'd probably just uninstall it (which should finally release the file and let you delete it after the next reboot). Then again, if you're moving your personal files to an external drive and planning to reinstall Windows anyway, it's pointless to worry about deleting a locked file for now.

 

[666Wolf666]

I would agree, except as far as I can find there is no software left installed that would account for the virtual CDROM drive. Have been uninstalling anything I don't know and am now getting rid of stuff that I do know, still nothing.

 

[Jacee]

well some further looking and it seems i have the game freelancer mounted on a virtual hard drive/disk drive. No clue how or when but sure enough its there. I can "eject" but on reboot its right back there showing an extra drive on my computer that isn't there. Opening the virtual drive I can't delete anything inside it. Since the file that I can't remove is freelancer.img I am going to assume they are related. Is in the process of moving files to an external hard drive as its looking more and more likely that I may just want to start with a clean computer.

W/could this be possibly something from Wordpress Post Content?

 

[Layback Bear]

Any time a computer doesn't do what I tell it to do and it should do it I think (infected).
Try this.
https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper
It's free and works good from Microsoft.
Let us know what you find.

 

[666Wolf666]

Will give it a shot when I get home from work, not connecting laptop to work network. last thing I need is to let this cursed oversized paperweight causing more trouble

 

[Ted Myers]

Something may be starting with Windows. Use What's In Startup to stop unnecessary apps from starting with Windows.

 

[Corazon]

I would agree, except as far as I can find there is no software left installed that would account for the virtual CDROM drive. Have been uninstalling anything I don't know and am now getting rid of stuff that I do know, still nothing.

Hmm, tricky...Sounds like maybe an incomplete uninstallation of said software. Try going to Device Manager, there should be an entry for the virtual CDROM drive and you can look at its properties to find out the name of the driver file responsible for it. Most likely it'll be sitting in \Windows\system32. Wouldn't surprise me if you could simply uninstall/delete the device while you're at it.