sandisk mini cruzer how to move files in use?

I wanted to copy and paste my documents & settings but I get a message about some files in use. How do I get around this?

Alicia Cebrian

Windows XP SP2

 

Does it tell you which files are in use?

Don't know that it would make any difference but have you tried copying them from a command window?

 

Are you trying to copy the files or move them? Did you use cut and paste or copy and paste? Cut and paste will move the selected items. If the files are in use, windows won't allow this. If you use copy and paste I wouldn't think there should be any problem. I'm a bit confused as to what you want to do because in the title of your thread it says "how to move files in use" but in your post you mention trying to copy and paste files. Need to know just exactly what it is you're trying to do.

 

Sorry for the confusion. I was trying to copy and paste these files from my
C drive to the G drive removable sandisk mini cruzer. I got a message saying
that the file NTUSER is being used by another person or program. I am using an administrator account.

I have no idea how to use a command line. Willing to learn though.

Alicia

 

Yup. Ntuser.dat is the static parts of the registry hive hkey_current_user for that user and ntuser.dat.log is the companion piece that contains the transaction log.

There will be a ntuser.dat file for each user on the PC.

I'm curious why you want to copy a part of the registry to another location though. Not much good without the other pices.

 

I guess I wanted to have a backup copy of things like address book, favorites etc and I know these are in the documents and settings. Perhaps there is better way to do that without using export wizards etc

Alicia

 

The backup copies of your personal items is an excellent idea. But some items in your user profile are worthless to you and ntuser.dat is one of thoses. Other items are tough to back up while you are logged on as yourself.

If you will post what browser, what email app you are using, someone can probably give you excellent suggestions for making safety copies of all your personal files.

 

Thanks Newt. I am using XP Home Edition SP2 I.E. 6 Outlook Express using a cable internet connection. I am the only user on the computer other than a mysterious administrater that I can see in safe mode (must be from when they installed the XP O.E.M

Alicia

 

The Administrator user is always loaded by the OS install. XP-pro and it shows up in normal mode. Xp-home and for some reason I completely fail to understand, Microsoft made it so you can only see that user in safe mode.

I'll still leave the specifics on what you need to save to others since I haven't used OE for a while and might remember things wrong. It sets up and stores things differently than Outlook.

 

So can I delete the administrator showing in safe mode Newt? Either that or I need to password protect it.

Alicia

 

If that is your aim, then backing up the NTUSER file is not the way to go about it.

Favorites: Open IE. Under File Menu > Import/Export.... > Select "Export Favorites" > Give it whatever name you want and save it a directory of your choosing.

Address Book: Start Menu | Search. Type *.wab in the files to search field. Let windows search them for you and just copy the results to your jump drive.

Do not delete the Admin Account. There is no need for you to do so.

 

I agree about the administrator account. I'm not sure if you even could delete it but if you were able to, it would be a very bad thing to do.

Password protecting that account is an excellent idea though. I'd have to rank it right up there with locking the house when you leave in terms of 'things that are good to do'.

 

AliciaJ--Backing up OE files is one of the trickier things about Windows. It is is easy to just make copies of emails so you can read them as .eml files on another PC that has OE. But backing up for the purpose of recreating email folders and address book for possible reinstallation of OE is something else. These are not .eml files.
However, it can be done.
There is a new program call OE Backup.
http://www.oehelp.com/oebackup/default.aspx
Or more complicated (but it works) the official MS way
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/270/6/70.ASP

 

I guess I could go into safemode and password protect the Administrator
account?

Thanks for all the info everyone.

Alicia

 

There is no need for you to go into safe mode to do so. If you are talking about setting restrictions/ permissions on folders, your HDD must be formatted as NTFS.

If you're talking about using a software application, then nevermind my post.

 

I am using XP home edition. The administrator account only shows up in safe mode. My thought in password protecting it was to stop someone from starting in safe mode and having a field day with access thru this account.

Or am I missing something?

Alicia