[kumbyya]

i think i might have a file that is a virus on my pc, but when i attempt to delete it, i get a message saying it cannot be deleted because the file is in use. the file is a .png file, and to be honest ive never even heard of one of them before.
can anyone help me here?
ive already looked to see if its running by hitting ctrl alt del, but it wasnt there, so i dont understand why it is supposedly in use.
thanks

 

[flavallee]

What is the complete file path and complete name of the file?

You may have to restart in DOS mode and delete it via a command prompt.

 

[kumbyya]

file path is c:\my documents\my music\recieved files\trailer.png

if thats how i type it

 

[john1]

http://www.group42.com/png.htm

its supposed to be an image file

 

[john1]

unlikely to be a virus.

you can do a general on-line virus check at trend

 

[john1]

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

or Panda,
or there are others ...

 

[kumbyya]

any ideas as to why i cant delete it then?

 

[kumbyya]

ah, think i sorted it. prob not a virus as you said, just happened to have to quarantine a file right after receiving it. i think it was trying to set itself as my wallpaper, so i turned off active desktop and was able to delete it. thanks for your help anyway, its much appreciated!

 

[john1]

Dunno,
have a look at its properties,
it may be labelled as a system file ?

Win will refuse to delete those,
maybe 'in use' is just an excuse ...

 

[john1]

glad you sorted it,
i'm not familiar with 'Active Desktop'
don't use it myself !

Best of luck, John

 

[flavallee]

Keep "Active Desktop" turned off. It'll save you some problems.

 

[john1]

Hi Flavalee,
years ago i tried 'Active Destop' it seemed to slow my old machine down,
and i thought the extras were not up to much, so i have avoided it ever
since!
My feeling was that it was just resources gone into window-dressing,
but i had no reason to think it was trouble.
If your opinion is also to avoid it then i'm sure you have good reason.

Cheers, John