Why can't I delete this file?

[TNDemo]

About a year ago I downloaded A-squared for a free trial period. I didn't want to pay to continue it so the trial period expired. Every time I boot up my computer I get several boxes about I need to update or whatever. I have tried to delete the program but when I do I get this message: "Cannot delete a2contmenu.dll: Access is denied. Source file may be in use." How do I get this thing deleted??

[philosophie_en_rose]

1. Not a computer expert.

I'm not a computer expert (so please take my advice with a grain of salt), but I'd probably pull up the list of programs that are running on the computer. (ALT+SHIFT+DELETE on my computer). Then close the program and then immediately delete it.

[TNDemo]

3. You know, what's weird

is that it is not on the list when I pull it up. When I go to my program files from the explore option (right clicking on start) it is there and it pops up on starting the computer. Hmm.

[nashbridges]

2. Do this:

Start | Shut Down | Restart
The second you see your BIOS POST screen (the screen BEFORE you see the Windows splash screen) hit your F8 key like mad until a menu comes up asking you what you would like to do. You may need to do this two or three times before you get the timing right.

Choose "Safe Mode" to boot into, and once you are in, try and find the program on the Add/Remove Programs control panel.

If that won't do it, PM me and I'll try and find instructions to manually delete it. At the very least, Safe Mode should let you delete a2contmenu.dll.

[TNDemo]

4. Okay. I'll try that.

What does the dll mean anyway?

[KitchenWitch]

5. dynamic link library

[Strong Atheist]

6. If you have Windows 98 or earlier, get

to a DOS prompt. If you have a newer version, boot up without invoking Windows (F8 or use a system disc to get to the a: prompt).
go to the windows directory

Type c:\windows

and then hit return. Then type at the prompt

attrib -h a2contmenu.dll

and hit return. Then type

attrib -s a2contmenu.dll

and hit return. Then type

attrib -r a2contmenu.dll

and hit return. Then type

del a2contmenu.dll

and hit return. Then type

edit a2contmenu.txt

and hit return. A text file will be created. Save it, and get back to the prompt. Type the following:

ren a2contmenu.txt a2contmenu.dll

and hit return. Then type

attrib +h a2contmenu.dll

and hit return. Then type

attrib +s a2contmenu.dll

and hit return. Then type

attrib +r a2contmenu.dll

and hit return. The program will now never be able to run again, even if it has infected your register and re-creates the file every boot. I know, I did this to the file that was needed by a program that took over a friend's home page by messing with their register. The program kept re-creating the dll every time the computer booted, no matter how many times it was deleted. I was not able to clean the register, but I made it so that the program could not set the home page because the dll that it needed was "broken" in this fashion. Too bad, so sad. :evilgrin: