Windows Xp And .avi Files

[sammycic]

I am using windows XP and each time i delete or move a file with .avi extension the file is removed from the folder it was in, but on reopening the folder the file reappears but is not usable. The only way i can delete them is to reboot and then they are gone. I believe is something to do with shell.dll. As i am not real computer literate i don't really won't to start messing around in the registry. Is there any method to sort this out. Only have the problem with .avi files. I did have one corrupted .avi file and deleted it and the problems started then. Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated as it driving me bar bar.

Thnks.

[Beggar]

Try this (Freeware):

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

[thaimite]

I am using windows XP and each time i delete or move a file with .avi extension the file is removed from the folder it was in, but on reopening the folder the file reappears but is not usable. The only way i can delete them is to reboot and then they are gone. I believe is something to do with shell.dll. As i am not real computer literate i don't really won't to start messing around in the registry. Is there any method to sort this out. Only have the problem with .avi files. I did have one corrupted .avi file and deleted it and the problems started then. Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated as it driving me bar bar.

Thnks.

Are you sure it is not just the folder view updating? Try pressing F5 to refresh the view

[sammycic]

I am using windows XP and each time i delete or move a file with .avi extension the file is removed from the folder it was in, but on reopening the folder the file reappears but is not usable. The only way i can delete them is to reboot and then they are gone. I believe is something to do with shell.dll. As i am not real computer literate i don't really won't to start messing around in the registry. Is there any method to sort this out. Only have the problem with .avi files. I did have one corrupted .avi file and deleted it and the problems started then. Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated as it driving me bar bar.

Thnks.

Are you sure it is not just the folder view updating? Try pressing F5 to refresh the view

will give it a try but what is happening is as what is described exactly on the previous post advice to check out collomb unlocker website.

I will give the unlocker a try and let you know.Thanks

[sammycic]

Try this (Freeware):

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

thanks beggar that was my problem in a nutshell. thanks for the info jeff

[sammycic]

Try this (Freeware):

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

thanks works perfectly

[Saraquin]

Hi

Unlocker is great, esp when XP decides to lock onto a file because it cant get media info on videos etc. it can crash ya explorer too if your real unfortunate

[Beggar]

Hi

Unlocker is great, esp when XP decides to lock onto a file because it cant get media info on videos etc. it can crash ya explorer too if your real unfortunate

Not a problem.

Just restart the explorer again without restarting the system. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to get to the Windows Task Manager. There go to File and New Task (Run). Type in explorer.exe and press OK. After a short while the explorer will be back again and nothing is lost.

You can test it. Call up the Windows Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Look under Image Name for EXPLORER.EXE. RIGHT click on it and select End Process. You will get a window with a warning. Press Yes and the Explorer will be gone. Now start it again with File and New Task (Run). Type in explorer exe and press OK. It will (should :-)) ) be back again.

[sammycic]

Hi

Unlocker is great, esp when XP decides to lock onto a file because it cant get media info on videos etc. it can crash ya explorer too if your real unfortunate

Not a problem.

Just restart the explorer again without restarting the system. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to get to the Windows Task Manager. There go to File and New Task (Run). Type in explorer.exe and press OK. After a short while the explorer will be back again and nothing is lost.

You can test it. Call up the Windows Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Look under Image Name for EXPLORER.EXE. RIGHT click on it and select End Process. You will get a window with a warning. Press Yes and the Explorer will be gone. Now start it again with File and New Task (Run). Type in explorer exe and press OK. It will (should :-)) ) be back again.

thanks beggar for your help. I still have a problem although i did have some success being able to delete some mp4 files using unlocker. I tried to delete an avi file which showed as explorer.exe locked. i selected them and unlocked them. I then deleted it to the recycle bin, (not using unlocker to delete), emptied the bin but still showed as full, rebooted and bin empty.

Any ideas what is happening. thanks Jeff

[Beggar]

thanks beggar for your help. I still have a problem although i did have some success being able to delete some mp4 files using unlocker. I tried to delete an avi file which showed as explorer.exe locked. i selected them and unlocked them. I then deleted it to the recycle bin, (not using unlocker to delete), emptied the bin but still showed as full, rebooted and bin empty.

Any ideas what is happening. thanks Jeff

I hope you checked for virus. If so it COULD be the media preview from the explorer.

Try this:

Start->Run, type in 'cmd' hit enter

Then enter:

regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll

and hit enter - restart the system

If it does not change anything undo this by

Start->Run, type in 'cmd' hit enter

Then enter:

regsvr32 shmedia.dll

and hit enter - restart the system

Also do this when the problem is solved.

[sammycic]

thanks beggar for your help. I still have a problem although i did have some success being able to delete some mp4 files using unlocker. I tried to delete an avi file which showed as explorer.exe locked. i selected them and unlocked them. I then deleted it to the recycle bin, (not using unlocker to delete), emptied the bin but still showed as full, rebooted and bin empty.

Any ideas what is happening. thanks Jeff

I hope you checked for virus. If so it COULD be the media preview from the explorer.

Try this:

Start->Run, type in 'cmd' hit enter

Then enter:

regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll

and hit enter - restart the system

If it does not change anything undo this by

Start->Run, type in 'cmd' hit enter

Then enter:

regsvr32 shmedia.dll

and hit enter - restart the system

Also do this when the problem is solved.

Thanks beggar that fixed the problem but when i put back regsvr32 shmedia.dll as you said in your last line "when the problem is solved" or have i misunderstood what you meant and leave it as /u until i sort out what is causing it. A virus scan is showing all O.K. Thanks jeff

[Beggar]

Thanks beggar that fixed the problem but when i put back regsvr32 shmedia.dll as you said in your last line "when the problem is solved" or have i misunderstood what you meant and leave it as /u until i sort out what is causing it. A virus scan is showing all O.K. Thanks jeff

The reason might be very big media files, corrupted files, not the correct codecs installed. But normally you do not need the preview for those files. I switched this off...when I installed XP I guess many years ago. The preview for pictures will still work. Just not for things like avi, mp3, mp4,... But again - if you miss it just register the dll again. /u stood for unregister.

[sammycic]

Thanks beggar that fixed the problem but when i put back regsvr32 shmedia.dll as you said in your last line "when the problem is solved" or have i misunderstood what you meant and leave it as /u until i sort out what is causing it. A virus scan is showing all O.K. Thanks jeff

The reason might be very big media files, corrupted files, not the correct codecs installed. But normally you do not need the preview for those files. I switched this off...when I installed XP I guess many years ago. The preview for pictures will still work. Just not for things like avi, mp3, mp4,... But again - if you miss it just register the dll again. /u stood for unregister.

I did have one corrupted file .avi was only 99% but vlc use to repair so i could play it. Also i regularly have mpg files 4gb that i delete. I think it is a very good idea to /u as it seems to be a windows thingo. thanks very much for your help and interest in my problem, will change to u/ and as you say just leave it till i need it again.

Thanks jeff