WindowsXP explorer displays files as a "process" and has them "in use"

As windows XP explorer.exe displays files, they are run as a process.

Sometimes these processes are not released and this causes the files to be "lockedâ€, as they are "in useâ€. I can see this happening when using Process Explorer.

The files I have the most problems with are .eps files, but it may also involve others from time to time.

The files are located in folders on a network, and sometimes there are dozens of files left "in use" just by viewing them in explorer.

You can't delete them, move them, resave them, rename them, or do anything with them at all as they are. You can open them and revise them, but you can only save them using a new name.

This is a real pain, and really stifles productivity. In a lot of cases, even rebooting won't release them. Not even a cold boot.

The process using the files is: Device\LanmanRedirector\, and right now there are 6 files being used by this process on the network as I'm writing this.

I can use Process Explorer to release the process that is using each file, but why is this happening at all?

Is there a real fix for this problem? Or is this just something I, and from all I can find on the Internet, many, many other people will just have to live with?

This problem is widespread, and if anyone knows how to eliminate it once and for all, there will be thousands of happy people out there.

 

Keeping in mind that I magically warp into a blonde bubble head when it comes to networking coupled with the fact that I'm not sure that this is a behavior that is considered a default designed to prevent data corruption or an unsynchronization of a file that is accessible to all on a network and should not be changed to prevent the said same and must be expected and put up with perhaps this ms ditty would apply:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814112

Many of the fixes refered to in the above link and it's sublinks envolve fairly recently release update patches. Do you those on your Network and possibly your Network Server have the applicable patches?

I'm just throwing this out there and taking a "Network Post" shot, which I do from time to time. Sooner or later I hope to have enough of this stuff sink in and stick so I won't have to rely on others. Consider this served for your reading enjoyment much like "elevator music" while you wait for those who truly know and understand the inner workings "Networking Gotchas ". We have many members, unlike myself, who's forte is in this area.

 

Welcome to the forum dowen.

I'll be happy to take a shot at the problem once I'm sure I'm understanding exactly what the problem is.

- You posted this in the XP section so is it only an issue with XP or does the same thing happen with other operating system versions?

- .eps = Encapsulated PostScript files? If so, do you have problems with both sorts (the vector based graphics files that Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw can work with and the more 'normal' picture file that most image editing apps can handle)?

- "explorer.exe displays files "; it really doesn't. Displays lists of filenames /w details or possibly thumbnail images. Is that what you mean or are you speaking of files you have opened as in you have an app that can use them and they are opened by the app?

- could you please describe the sort of network you are on. I have just checked Process Explorer with all sorts of files and apps running from a network location and can't duplicate what you are seeing.

- please take a screen shot of Process Explorer while it's showing a .eps file locked open or in use by the lanman piece and email it to me. I'll attach it to this thread for reference.

 

Network issues with Explorer

Thanks Ann,

Looking at your picture, you are a Goddess. I appreciate your response very much. This is a large company network, and the IS department doesn’t have a clue either.

The problem has been off and on for the last year and a half. As far as I know, everything is always kept up-to-date on the network and there are no security issues involved. I have full administrative rights on my computer.

I thought at first that there may be something about the files causing a security glitch, but after watching Sysinternals Process Explorer while it’s happening, and seeing how random and unpredictable it is, it seems more like a network issue with Explorer itself.

 

An answer to your questions . . .

Welcome to the forum dowen.

I'll be happy to take a shot at the problem once I'm sure I'm understanding exactly what the problem is.

- You posted this in the XP section so is it only an issue with XP or does the same thing happen with other operating system versions?

A: I'm the only one I know here that has these kind of problems, and I'm running Windows XP Professional, so I'd have to say: NO

- .eps = Encapsulated PostScript files? If so, do you have problems with both sorts (the vector based graphics files that Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw can work with and the more 'normal' picture file that most image editing apps can handle)?

A: Encapsulated PostScript: YES, Any type of eps will cause a problem, vector, raster, Illustrator, Corel, or Photoshop. At times I've had .jpg & .tif files lock also.

- "explorer.exe displays files "; it really doesn't. Displays lists of filenames /w details or possibly thumbnail images. Is that what you mean or are you speaking of files you have opened as in you have an app that can use them and they are opened by the app?

A: By "display" I mean an icon or a thumbnail. I can watch, in real time while explorer creats a file process, and then deletes it, as the thumbnails are being displayed. I use Sysinternals "Process Explorer" to do this.

- could you please describe the sort of network you are on. I have just checked Process Explorer with all sorts of files and apps running from a network location and can't duplicate what you are seeing.

A: I believe the network is Windows 2000, and our network has around 500 computers in maybe 5 states. The folders have maybe 100+ files in them, and when you view the explorer.exe processes, you can see \Device\LanmanDRedirector\ creating a process (a line turns green) and then delete it (the line turns red and disappears).

- please take a screen shot of Process Explorer while it's showing a .eps file locked open or in use by the lanman piece and email it to me. I'll attach it to this thread for reference.

A: I'll send the e-mail

 

The process using the files is: Device\LanmanRedirector\
Newt, post that screenie.

I'd run filemon, and see whos opening it.

I mean an icon or a thumbnail. I can watch, in real time while explorer creats a file process, and then deletes it, as the thumbnails are being displayed. I use Sysinternals "Process Explorer" to do this.

based on this, my nickel says you have a shell extension that is opening them to generate the thumbs. Liberal use of ShellExView should fix you right up (and will probably break your thumbs for .eps files).

 

It will be a bit later before I can see if the screen shot made it and then attach it. Forum mail goes to my house and I'm at work for another few hours.

dowen - thanks for the detail. Interesting problem.

 

Another shot in the dark maybe but, is anyone else on the Network using the device you refer to ?.

I believe that if anyone on the Network is using ( SHARING ) the program/device then I believe the files would be considered " In Use "

I can not do anything with files on 98SE or XP Pro if they are in use.

And Yes, this does ( or did ) happen to me on my LAN. I did not realize that the 98SE machine was playing a game from the XP machine. I had installed it on the 98 machine but my Wife used the old shortcut. I went to take it off of the XP machine but I could not delete the files. Once the game was closed on the 98 machine they deleted very nicely.

BillyBob

 

The problem is not with sharing

Thanks for the help BillyBob,

This being a network I'm on, other people in my workgroup have access to these files, but I'm the only one who actually uses then. I'm looking for some type of glytch in Windows Explorer that for some unknown reason doesn't release the files like it should.

If you look at the screenshot that Newt will be posting, this is how it runs, displays and releases the thumbnail views. When they all display and close it's OK, but sometimes they don't all close and that's what has them "in use ".

I can release them manually through the program "Process Explorerâ€, but I don’t think this should be happening in the first place and I’d like to find out why and make it stop.

Thanks again,

Dennis