The Doomist Posted September 13, 2012 So a while back I posted about me not getting to run added programs in Windows 3.1. I figured that out (thanks!), but then I got a new desktop computer. I installed Windows 3.1 again, and I decided to re-install it by deleting everything. This was because I wanted to install an S3 graphics card, but the path was somehow incorrect. (Somebody could probably answer that too?) So, one font file wouldn't delete (CGA40WOA.FON), and when I try to delete it or move it, it would show "Moving" or "Preparing to delete", but it never ends! I once left it "preparing to recycle" while I took a 40 (or so) minute shower, and it was still there! It says "Time Remaining: Calculating..." for ever! Is there a certain program? (BTW, I tried Malware Bytes, and the file assassin freezes when I try deleting the file. The command prompt doesn't let you type after I try deleting it either!) 0 Share this post Link to post
Nomad Posted September 13, 2012 Assuming this Win3.1 install is on it's own partition, you could just backup anything you want to keep and wipe the partition clean with a full format? 0 Share this post Link to post
printz Posted September 13, 2012 When I was having file deletion problems, I would restart into safe or DOS mode and brutally "del" it from the command line. 0 Share this post Link to post
chungy Posted September 13, 2012 how or what did you install Windows 3.1 on/in? 0 Share this post Link to post
The Doomist Posted September 13, 2012 I installed it into a folder in the C: drive. I ran the INSTALL in DOSBox. 0 Share this post Link to post
Aliotroph? Posted September 14, 2012 Just delete it when you're not in DOSbox. If it won't delete then use a tool like Killbox on it or do it in safe mode, or from a Linux LiveCD, etc, etc. 0 Share this post Link to post
The Doomist Posted September 15, 2012 Any program I use freezes. I think there's something in it that prevents itself from deleting it. 0 Share this post Link to post
Enjay Posted September 15, 2012 In the good old days when I used Win 3.1, if something like this happened, I would boot off a floppy, navigate to the file in question and delete it from the command prompt. I don't suppose that you can do something like that with your setup? I assume that you are running Win7? You should be able to boot off a CD with command line support and delete the file manually. 0 Share this post Link to post
Foxpup Posted September 16, 2012 I've had this problem a couple of times with Windows 7. It seems that sometimes, after a file is deleted, it is still listed in Explorer, even though it was in fact properly deleted from the filesystem. Attempting to delete the file again or rename, move, or copy it will either produce an unhelpful error message or cause Explorer to freeze. After rebooting, the file is gone, with no inconsistencies in the filesystem and no indication that there was ever a problem deleting it in the first place. This seems to happen with totally random files, so I don't think it's anything to do with your Windows 3.1 installation. I haven't the faintest idea what causes it. Just reboot and see if the file's still there. 0 Share this post Link to post
Maes Posted September 16, 2012 Never heard of "locked" files or "system" files, huh? 0 Share this post Link to post
The Doomist Posted September 18, 2012 Maes said:Never heard of "locked" files or "system" files, huh? Yes, I have. Every other font file deleted, and I'm pretty sure it would tell you if it was locked, or a system file. :\ 0 Share this post Link to post
dethstriken Posted September 19, 2012 This program will tell you if it is currently in use and allow you to kill that task to delete the file. URL http://www.snapfiles.com/get/freefile.html /URL It may help 0 Share this post Link to post
GreyGhost Posted September 19, 2012 Then again, it might not. This version of FreeFile will only find locked dll and exe files. The next version will support all file types. 0 Share this post Link to post