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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

3335.0. "Can't delete files!" by JGO::CHAPMAN () Mon Jan 15 1990 06:27

    I am sure I've read of this problem here before, but no luck with
    DIR/TITLE=
    
    I am starting a nice collection on my hard disc of files that I
    can't delete. Any attempt gives me an "Unable to delete - object
    in use" message. At the moment I've collected three, of various
    sorts. I am able to rename them, so I keep them in my special directory
    /what_do_I-do_with_these.
    
    Any ideas as to why they occur and how I can put them out of their
    misery. (I had considered backing up and restoring my entire disc,
    but there must be a more humane and painless way)
    
    Colin
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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3335.1Re Misery in deletionWELMTS::FINNISMon Jan 15 1990 08:497
    Hi Colin,
    
    	I had quite a problem like this trying to delete files and they
    would not go away, then I realised that there was white-space in
    the name i.e a space at the end. 
    
    			Pete
3335.2Here are the ones I know of:MSVAX::BARRETTWho is Steve Dahl?Mon Jan 15 1990 09:4324
    This will also happen if one or more of the following is true:
    
    1) There is an ASSIGN statement referencing the file or directory.
    The fix is to remove it.
    
    2) There is an open ICON or window for that file or directory. The fix is
    to de-select the icon or close the window.
    
    3) Your current directory (the one that shows up when you do just
    a "DIR") is the directory you're trying to delete. The fix is to
    "cd" yourself elsewhere.
    
    4) I'd also make sure that the file(s) in that directory are not
    resident (do a RESIDENT command to see).
    
    5) Lastly, make sure no background task uses the file/directory.
    
    
    
    The bottom line is that you can usually believe the error message
    -- SOMETHING somewhere is referencing it. The most common is the
    ASSIGN statement.
    
    {kgb}
3335.3TALLIS::MCAFEESteve McAfeeMon Jan 15 1990 10:165
    Although it is obvious and you've probably done it already...
    You can try rebooting.  Sometimes a poorly written program
    will fail to release a lock on a file.
    
    - steve