Deleting temp files.

[skinbath]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help with the following problem.

I was under the impression that all temp files could be deleted but I have a problem with deleting a particular file in temp:-

Perfib_Perfdata_878.dat (this number changes v.v.often)

I`ve tried all the methods suggested to me so far,such as run "cleanmgr" and using restore etc,but I just get a message that the file is being used and can`t be deleted.I`m the authorised user so I didn`t think I would have this problem.I`ve also tried disconnecting from the Internet but to no avail.


I also have some files locked in a "virus vault" (AVG free) which are trojans that have attatched to some files.Can anyone tell me if I need to replace these files and if so,how to do it?

Cheers.

 

[AWS]

Open a command box and cd to the temp folder. Once there try this command.

del *.dat

 

[skinbath]

Open a command box and cd to the temp folder. Once there try this command.

del *.dat

Thanks for your reply Bob.
I`m not sure I`ve followed this correctly but if I have it hasn`t worked .
Please bear with me;I typed "command box temp folder" in Run from the start menu and in the box that presented I typed in your suggestion but I just recieved "is not recognised as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file" message.
There again I`m not convinced I`m doing this correctly, .

 

[GavinO]

To open a command prompt, you type 'cmd' or 'command' in the Run box, and hit OK. In the resulting prompt, you use the 'cd' command to change to the directory in question (easiest is to open the folder from My Computer and drag the folder path from the address bar to the command prompt after typing 'cd '). If the change of directory is effective, you should see it to the left of the prompt (like 'c:\my\troublesome\directory\> _'). If that works, entering the command 'del *.dat' should attempt to delete all .dat files in the directory.

 

[skinbath]

Thanks for your reply GavinO,but,believe it or not the message I now recieve states that the specified path cannot be found!Or it says that "Documents",or "Local" is not a valid file path,or the filename,directoryname,or volume label syntax is incorrect.
I`ve tried several times using slightly differing variants aswell but to no avail.

Something I`ll mention is that when trying to delete from the folder itself I get the message that the file is being used by another program!I`m trying to think of something I `ve downloaded but the only thing I can think of are spyware or anti virus programs.
I`ll keep at it.

 

[GavinO]

You'll get that error if you have spaces in the file path and don't quote it, ie:

cd c:\documents and settings\myuser

should be:

cd "c:\documents and settings\myuser"

If this still tells you that the file is is use, I would try rebooting in safe mode (minimizing the number of processes running, reducing the chance that something is locking it), and if it is a FAT32 (as opposed to NTFS) volume, trying to delete the file from a DOS or Linux boot disk.

 

[skinbath]

Thanks,GavinO;
I don`t have a lot of time right now and it will possibly be a day or so before I get back to do it but I appreciate your help and advice, .

It seems I`ve spent a rather long time trying to fix these problems.I`m going to try to find a local computer course (I`m in London) in order to better understand what goes on within this mysterious box.
Do you have any suggestions as to what type of course would be a good starting point.I`d really like to understand the workings and ways a computer functions a little more.I guess however,that like most things it`s a long term process!

 

[GavinO]

I don't really know what is available in terms of computer courses in the level of user-mode functionality. The nice thing about computers is that its very hard to do permanent damage from the software side. The worst that can possibly happen is having to reinstall (an educational experience in itself, the first couple of times). It's definately a long term process, but with the advent of the Internet, you can easily research the inner workings of what you're doing (ie, 'I ran a program and saved a file', so you might look up information on what composes the program, how the file system works, etc)

 

[skinbath]

I`ve not had time as yet to go through the procedure you suggested GavinO,but something I wanted to ask before I go through with it is;now that my computer doesn`t seem to be having any problems (fingers crossed here) after reinstalling Sound Blaster (see IE thread) do you think I should just leave things well alone for the time being?
Also is it ever the case that some programs keep these files in temporary or do you think that once I`ve disconnected that I should in any event be able to delete these temp internet files?
Thanks.

 

[GavinO]

Temporary Internet Files is just a cache of pages and images you've downloaded, so that if you go back to them within a certain period of time your browser can check updated dates between the server and its cache, and if the cache is up to date avoid downloading that file. It's not really as important on broadband as it used to be on dial-up. In any case, clearing out the temporary files shouldn't hurt anything.