temp files folder....cant delete file

Question

there is a file in my temp folder in c: ........by the name Perflib_Perfdata_898 whenever i try to delete this file...i get an error that this file is in use by another program/person i am the only user on my comp.....even norton shows me an error in this file, but doesnt fix it. what should i do?   also, when my computer boots, it shows me a Run.dll error that it cant find a specified module   Message Edited by shikha111 on 01-27-2005 01:45 PM

100mph · Answer

Only if you are sure that deletion of this file will not brake anything valuable on your computer ...

1. Try deleting the file in Safe Mode.
2. Use MoveOnBoot:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html

To eliminate the boot error, remove the references to the missing file from your Startup:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindowsstartup.htm

You also may want to scan for spyware (the second link below).

All the Best!

Lorac30 · Answer

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE... let me know if you find a solution! This has been bugging (no pun intended) me for months!! I have the same in my Temp Folder.. and yes, it says it is in use by another application. I am a newbie with too much curiosity for my own good. Last week I looked in the Event Viewer (Administrative Tools) and have found errors that are relating to PerfLib and Perfnet. I have a feeling these are somehow related. I am convinced it has nothing to do with a virus or spyware. I am the only one using the computer and keep it clean.

While I have come a long way, since day one, this issue may have to entail posting the 3 errors I have relating to this. I don't know if this file caused the problems, or if the errors created the file in Temp Folder. Meanwhile, please post if you find an answer. (It's starting to permiate my dreams!! Literally.)

Thanks in advance...

100mph · Answer

Did you try MoveOnBoot yet (?): http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html

Lorac30 · Answer

I have had Sysinternal's Process Explorer sitting on my desktop for.. yeah.. a few months. That was recommended from MS article. And Moveonboot was too. When I went to Sysinternals website, I was afraid I might get to a certain point, where I didn't know what I was doing. The yellow in me prevented me from going any further. I guess it's time. I am under the impression that Moveonboot might be easier for me to understand.

Am I correct by thinking, this will identify what program would be running? Or, if indeed, it is a program. (The properties showed me it was a 16.0 kb .DAT file. I am thinking, because it always shows the day I am presently at, that it may be a program. I was ready to forget about it, until I saw all the error messages in the Log.) Enough of all this. I will move on to Moveonboot!

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

shikha111 · Answer

how would i know if the file is not vital?

Denny Denham · Answer

shikha111,

Nothing in the Temp folder is vital. A file may be deposited there by a program in use but if the file remains after you restart the computer its use is no longer required. The program that put it there will replace it if the program is started again and the file is required again.

Lorac30 · Answer

BTW....Please excuse above error.  I meant I shutdown abnormally only once.  Not shutdown normally, only once! :smileyvery-happy:

Lorac30 · Answer

Shikha 111..   Maybe to shed some light, you may want to read MS article Q285798. I am not sure if I am allowed to give you the forum I found this at.  Did you try putting PerfLib Perfdata in Google?  Apparently, we are not the only one's with this problem.  I have tried Safe Mode, MoveOnBoot and everything short of fooling around with the registry.  Nothing has worked.   As I have found out..'The %SystemRoot%\System32\Perflib_Perfdataxxx.dat files are created by the System Monitor. When you shutdown normally, the file should be deleted. (I have only done this once, because my computer froze and I had no other choice at the time).  If you have an abormal shutdown, these files can become orphaned, and accumulate on your computer. Under some yet to be determined circumstances, these files can become orphaned during normal operation.' The tech at the forum suggested that the best way to remove these files is to add a command in a logon script: del /q %SystemRoot%\System32\Perflib_Perfdata*.dat  (This may also be  in the Microsoft article)   I am NOT at the point, in this ever-learning process, where I would feel comfortable doing this.  PLEASE NOTE, I am in no way knowledgeable enough, to be giving any advice!!  As I said, just trying to shed some light... which leaves us back to square one!   Good Luck.

shikha111 · Answer

Thank you for all your opinions and tips. I really appreciate it. :smileyhappy: It seems like it's gonna be much more work getting rid of it. What if I just let it sit there? Would it do any harm? Message Edited by shikha111 on 02-01-2005 03:22 AM

Lorac30 · Answer

Shikha 111...

I'm going to let it go for a little while, but know it is not in my nature to just ignore it. (One simple answer would be.. don't look in the Temp folder and you won't see it!! :smileyvery-happy: I've been deleting everything else in the folder.. obviously, with the exception of that culprit. I will post here, if I ever find a fix. Eventually, I will find an answer. If you happen to... let me know.

I'm now in the middle of researching how to fix PerfNet and PerfLib errors, I found in the Event Viewer. I may be looking for trouble, when there is non there.

Again.. Good Luck .....and let me know if you have any! Perhaps, someone who knows better, might come up with something.

NS_MaNiAc · Answer

Why don't you try Deleting it from the command line? Im pretty sure that will get it. To get to the command line go Start>Run>Command

Lorac30 · Answer

Ns_MaNiAc...

I really don't know if I am knowledgeable enough, but if I were to try.....

I read (jiinc) where it is said, 'The best way to remove these files is to add a command in a logon script: del /q %SystemRoot%\System32\Perflib_Perfdata*.dat

(The simple fact that I don't know what "a logon script" actually is, has me questioning whether I should do it or not.) Presently, when I open run command, I see "c:\Documents and Settings\My Name>and then a blinking cursor . Would I press enter, then add the line above, exactly as is? And.. would I leave the asterisk after Perfdata, or substitute it for the # that is there now. (It keeps changing everytime I go to the Temp Folder.)

Or.. do you think I could do more damage by doing this incorrectly, than the harm the file is causing? Please excuse my ignorance.

Thanks for your help.

NS_MaNiAc · Answer

Ugh i forget to be honest. Let me check the batch file I auto run everynight. It deletes all my temp folders/files.

Windows General

temp files folder....cant delete file

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