View Full Version : More .xml questions.
Ambush Master
01-04-2005, 21:26
I've attempted to delete some of these files and it won't let me !! Keep getting an error msg "Cannot delete xxx.xml:Access denied. The source file may be in use."
Any ideas ???
Ambush Master
01-04-2005, 22:06
Kyo's response to my PM:
I take it that this is on your personal PC. If so, reboot into Safe Mode, (press F8 key on boot). Once the PC is up you should be able to delete the unwanted files.
There's other ways to do this but this is the quick and dirty way. I've got a doc at work I prepared just for situations like this. I'll post it for you tomorrow if you'd like.
Ambush Master
01-04-2005, 22:08
Yes, it is on my home machine. F8 will not bring it up in Safe Mode. Also tried Control.
I am running Windows ME.
Kyo is on target, try with the F8 during the whole boot process (to be sure).
Otherwise, if you can figure out which program that runs it, you can press ctrl+alt+del and explicitly stop it. Then try deleting it again.
I'm not too good at Windows systems, sorry.
Explicitly stopping the program may not resolve the lock.
The application that runs the xml file may create file locks on the xml temp file. For example, if you are running SP2 and use "Help and Support" windows creates temp files called imt*.xml which can remain locked. They can also be safely deleted.
Alternately, if you are running a specific application or java applet that relies on xml for data transformation/transfer, the application may use temp files. (IE uses MSXML) Often, simply clearing your temporary internet files will release these locks. Alternately, if you are running a local IIS for web apps, refreshing IIS may work.
Kyobanim
01-05-2005, 07:08
Most likely you have spyware/malware of some type on your PC. Running Adaware or something similar is the first thing to do. If possible, this should be done in Safe Mode to be sure you get everything. If at any point in this process you are forced to reboot before completion, you will need to start again from the beginning.
If you get a message saying the file is in use when try8ing to delete it that means that it is running as a process. The only way to remove it will be to open up the Task List and stop the process and any related processes. (This is why it's better to do this in Safe Mode. Safe Mode only loads drivers that are needed for bare minimum operations)
This process works for Win XP and 2000 and should work for Millinium. Open up My Computer and double click on the C drive.
1. Look for a file that ends in .XML. If you see it, delete it. It shouldn’t be there. (This one should delete.)
2. On the Drop Down menus at the top of the window click on Tools, Folder Options, View. In the new window look down the list and click the button beside Show All Files. Then exit by clicking OK on all the windows.
3. Open up the C drive again, if you just closed it, then open up the Windows Folder. Then open up the folder called Temps. Delete all the files in this folder.
4. Close these windows until you are viewing the contents of the C drive.
5. Open the Windows folder. Look for the Temp folder and delete the contents of the folder. Navigate back to the Contents of C.
6. Open the Documents and Settings Folder
7. Open the folder that is named the same name that you use to log onto the computer. If you don’t have to login open the Administrator folder. Open the Local Settings folder.
8. Next, open the Temp folder and delete all the files out of it.
9. Open the Temporary Internet Files folder. Delete the files in this folder. Sometimes login information is stored here for things like web forums, and web sites that require a log in and password. Unless you want to go through every file and delete them one by one, delete everything. You’ll just have to enter an account and password for the web forum you go to all the time.
10. Open up Internet Explorer. Click on Tools, Internet Options, Settings, View Objects. These are application plug-ins like Flash Player, Real Player, etc. If any are listed as “unknown” remove them.
Don't worry about deleting something important here. If IE needs it, it will be reinstalled automatically.
Gotta go do some work. More to come later.
OK, at risk of annoying Kyobanim, I feel obligated to disagree with the instructions given above in regards to deleting ANY file with the extension of .xml
This could be very dangerous. Many valid applications and applets, including MS applications (Excel would be an excellent example), may rely upon .xml files.
Let's talk about some examples of how xml files can be used:
1. xml files can enable the transfer of text/sql/db2/ole, etc. data into a web-based (think ASP) application in a browser friendly manner - it controls how the data will be structured
2. do a scan of your system for *.xml and you will likely see that certified applications, such as PCHealth, MSOFFICE, Windows SP, all rely heavily upon xml files (in fact, your file lock may well be due to a temp lock on an Windows SP xml file)
I could go on & on, and I am not speaking with educated knowledge on this - it is my daily work. Please do not delete all files on your system with an .xml extension - it could be devasting.
More likely, do more research on the TEMP files hanging around your system.
I thought it was some specific xml file at first, but for a general xml-deletion spree Pandora's absolutely right. (just seconding, not poking you, Pandora)
On almost all systems, XML files are data holders for very diverse things.
On my computer they hold information on things ranging from graphical user interfaces (Glade files), text documents (OpenOffice), option settings (all my desktop settings are based on it), etc.
Some times the suffix is not xml, however. xml is popular, among other things, because it is an open standard and provides a structured way to store data to be parsed.
Kyobanim
01-05-2005, 08:38
It's not a general call to delete xml files. It is the xml file that you find in the root of the C drive or your boot drive. There is no good reason for this file to reside here other than to reinstall the adware that you just deleted.
Pandora is right, random deletion of xml files can cause havoc with your system. However, you won't see a valid .xml file in the root of the boot drive.
Okay, there is one exception. That's the one where all your applications are installed wild on the C drive and not in their preassigned and designated directories. If you have done this then you need to do it all over anyway. :D
AM - how'd you make out? Has your issue been resolved?
Kyo, Martin: Both of you Gents are always invaluable resources for IT knowledge here. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise - I always grow in knowledge when you post.
Ambush Master
01-05-2005, 21:31
OK, I finally got la'machine to come up in Safe-Mode and cleaned it pretty good. Started about 4 hours ago and am just now back on the net !!! Went ahead and did a de-frag and ran Lavasoft Full System Scan both in Safe Mode and again on the re-boot to normal. Had about 5-6 Norton Anti-virus hits during the scans, but all seemed to go well.
Now it is back to the "Recon-Mode", Hide and Watch, Wait and See !!! :D
Thanks folks, if it hi-cups, I'll revive this thread, but it seems to be good to go.It appears to me to have been a very deeply embedded problem and I've got some new software inbound to hopefully help prevent future problems.
Take Care, and Many Thanks Again !!!
Martin