Hidden maliscious software?

[sodium]

Ok, heres my problem. I have a file, a video clip. Something I downloaded and probably shouldn't have. So it wouldn't run, said I needed another codec(s). Anyway I was running low on disk space and trying to delete some things i didn't need. When I try to delete this file it says it can't because another program is using it. Well, no other programs are running. I restarted and tried again, still same problem. I'm running Windows XP. CTRL + ALT + DELETE and NO other programs are running, I've turned off everything in the task bar. I updated my virus software (AVG) and scanned the folder that contained the video clip and it found nothing.

So that's my problem, this thing is taking up about 700 MB of space and I can't get rid of it. also when I go to that folder and try to do stuff I get alot of "not responding" problems with explorer. everything is running very poorly. Anyhow my guess is that I've got a virus. I'm currently running a full scan on my HD, hopefully i'll get lucky and that will find & fix it. But it's found nothing yet.

So I'm wondering is it possible for a program to be running "hidden" in the background so that it wouldn't show up in Windows Task Manager? If so is there something I can do to see what programs are running in the background like that? Other than that, assuming that AVG doesn't find a virus and solve the problem does anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of this file?

Sorry for the length of the post, just trying to give you a good description. And Thankyou in advance to anyone that takes the time to try to help me. I very much appreciate those of you that are full of computer knowledge and generous enough to help others out!

 

[_WW_]

Have you tried starting up in Safe Mode when trying to delete it?

Does AVG give you an option to do a boot scan before Windows loads?...if so run it.

And there is this: <A HREF="http://www.theeldergeek.com/delete_undeletable_file.htm" target="_new">Delete A File That Is Seemingly "Undeletable"</A>


....WW (5.1)

 

[4Ryan6]

Been there heres a trick for you! It won't let you delete the file but it will let you move it! Create a folder just leave it named New Folder but know exactly where it is, cut and paste the problem file into the New Folder you created, do not open the New Folder! Right click and select Delete! Bye Bye Problem!

If that doesn't work post back!




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[4Ryan6]

Remember to delete your trash bin immediately afterward! It would be better if you used a freeware program like Eraser to completely erase and irradicate the thing period, that way it doesn't even go to the trash bin, I'll track down an Eraser Download link for you and post it!

<A HREF="http://btvillarin.com/punbb/viewtopic.php?pid=20385#p20385" target="_new"> My Puter </A>

 

[4Ryan6]

<A HREF="http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/eraser/eraser53.zip?download" target="_new"> Eraser Download Page </A>

<A HREF="http://btvillarin.com/punbb/viewtopic.php?pid=20385#p20385" target="_new"> My Puter </A>

 

[4Ryan6]

Eraser will add an option in the right click menu, instead of selecting Delete select Erase and it will erase the file, I've been using Eraser for about 3 years its never been a problem or screwed up my machine, you can trust it.

<A HREF="http://btvillarin.com/punbb/viewtopic.php?pid=20385#p20385" target="_new"> My Puter </A>

 

[4Ryan6]

One last thing when Eraser erases a file its gone period no recovery possible, so make sure what you erase you never want back!

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[Rob423]

yea i've had to perform this little trick many a time. for me it was a few mp3 files that wouldn't let me delete.

Do as suggested above.

Just create a folder, try to drag and drop or copy/cut/paste... adn then delete it form the new location.

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[sodium]

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the help. I did end up getting it taken care of. Actually before I saw any of the Eraser posts. It was such a pain. First off anytime I used windows explorer and got anywhere near the file it would crash and it just kept getting worse and worse. I tried deleting in DOS, i tried safe mode. Anyway in the end I was able to get rid of it in Safe mode w/ Dos prompt. which really i guess wouldn't have been so hard if i knew to try that right away but instead I went thru dozens of crashes and it took me a few hours of frustration before I got around to trying that. But if it ever happens again at least I know what to do. Thanks for all your help