I'm the Administrator of Computer, but can't rename or delete folders??

KSkywalker4571

I was preparing to install the new patch today, but I didn't get very far at all! For some reason I can't rename or delete the Electronic Arts or Sims 3 Folders. I first tried to rename them, but I get a message that a file within them is being used by another program. I can't figure that out, nothing else is running! I'm able to Copy & Paste these folders, but computer will not allow me to delete the originals. Computer gives me message that I need permission from the administrator to delete folders! I am the Administrator of this computer, and I've never had this problem before! I was able to delete an unimportant file with no problem, it seems to be just a problem with Electronic Arts Files.

Does anyone know what has gone wrong here? The other users on this computer (parents) wouldn't fool around with any settings. (They're in their 70s) We haven't had any Viruses. The only other strange thing occurring is that browser (Firefox) claims that I don't have "cookies" enabled, I don't recall disabling them.

There is never a "good" time for this to happen, but the timing on this is horrendous!
I need to have surgery next week to fix my eyes! (Double vision, everything is harder when you can't see straight!) I can't drive now, so Sims is my only entertainment! I will also be non-functioning for a week and a half after the surgery. :shock:
Help!

ewilson1114

Have you tried restarting your computer?

KSkywalker4571

Restarting Computer had no effect.

Edited to add:
I even tried a System Restore, that didn't even complete! (The restore failed twice!) What on Earth is going on here??? This computer has had no problems until now! Has this stupid Sims 3 folder totally messed up my computer??

How do I give myself permission to delete this folder?? It says to get permission, but gives me no clear way to do so! I can't rename the folder either, it claims it's being used by another program. Why can't it tell me what program is using it?

Davelicious

You are talking about the Electronic Arts folder inside My Documents, correct?

KSkywalker4571

Yes that's the one! I was able to copy and paste the Sims 3 folder, but I can't delete the original or rename it.

This is the message I'm getting when I try to rename it:

The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program. Close the folder or file and try again. What program would that be? I see no evidence of this.


This is the message I get trying to delete them:

You'll need to provide administrator permission to delete this folder.

I am the administrator, but have no clue as to how to give permission. I've been trying to find the answer in the "help" files, but nothing is making sense to me. My mind is mush because of my visual difficulties, so please give "for dummies" instruction if you can.

Davelicious

Let's take a look at what programs you are running:

1) Hold down your [Windows] key and press [R].
2) Copy and paste the following line into the text box:

cmd /c tasklist /fo csv | clip

3) Click OK (this will copy a list of your running programs to the clipboard).
4) Create a new reply to this forum thread, then right-click and Paste into the textbox.
5) Click Submit.

KSkywalker4571

I'm not getting a clipboard. Should there be a box popping up? a box flashes up then
instantly disappears, there is nothing shown in the task bar.

KSkywalker4571

tasklist /fo csv | clip


that's the only thing that pastes.

Davelicious

KSkywalker4571 wrote:

tasklist /fo csv | clip


that's the only thing that pastes.

Sorry, I've updated the line now. Try following the steps again, it will work this time.

KSkywalker4571

"Image Name","PID","Session Name","Session#","Mem Usage"
"System Idle Process","0","Services","0","24 K"
"System","4","Services","0","1,148 K"
"smss.exe","320","Services","0","72 K"
"csrss.exe","700","Services","0","3,088 K"
"wininit.exe","748","Services","0","168 K"
"services.exe","808","Services","0","6,096 K"
"lsass.exe","832","Services","0","8,780 K"
"lsm.exe","840","Services","0","2,200 K"
"svchost.exe","992","Services","0","4,696 K"
"nvvsvc.exe","292","Services","0","3,312 K"
"nvSCPAPISvr.exe","368","Services","0","1,280 K"
"svchost.exe","664","Services","0","6,228 K"
"svchost.exe","1052","Services","0","16,320 K"
"svchost.exe","1100","Services","0","213,728 K"
"svchost.exe","1144","Services","0","34,816 K"
"svchost.exe","1292","Services","0","13,148 K"
"svchost.exe","1376","Services","0","10,744 K"
"spoolsv.exe","1696","Services","0","5,088 K"
"svchost.exe","1736","Services","0","8,880 K"
"armsvc.exe","1820","Services","0","796 K"
"BelkinService.exe","1856","Services","0","1,464 K"
"svchost.exe","2028","Services","0","13,500 K"
"svchost.exe","1136","Services","0","5,700 K"
"SeaPort.exe","2104","Services","0","1,268 K"
"sftvsa.exe","2472","Services","0","792 K"
"ToolbarUpdater.exe","2552","Services","0","2,088 K"
"WLIDSVC.EXE","2600","Services","0","8,944 K"
"nSvcAppFlt.exe","2636","Services","0","1,128 K"
"nSvcIp.exe","2712","Services","0","3,948 K"
"sftlist.exe","2792","Services","0","1,584 K"
"WLIDSVCM.EXE","2944","Services","0","472 K"
"CVHSVC.EXE","3404","Services","0","1,500 K"
"svchost.exe","3500","Services","0","3,700 K"
"svchost.exe","3680","Services","0","2,356 K"
"WUDFHost.exe","3820","Services","0","2,112 K"
"SearchIndexer.exe","1628","Services","0","10,216 K"
"wmpnetwk.exe","4588","Services","0","16,592 K"
"svchost.exe","5524","Services","0","11,172 K"
"dllhost.exe","5384","Services","0","2,720 K"
"IntuitUpdateService.exe","2132","Services","0","932 K"
"avgidsagent.exe","3588","Services","0","16,744 K"
"avgfws.exe","3516","Services","0","11,952 K"
"avgwdsvc.exe","6916","Services","0","13,544 K"
"avgnsa.exe","4180","Services","0","804 K"
"avgemca.exe","2984","Services","0","1,932 K"
"avgrsa.exe","2156","Services","0","2,872 K"
"csrss.exe","6104","Console","3","5,664 K"
"winlogon.exe","6404","Console","3","5,108 K"
"nvxdsync.exe","4092","Console","3","10,832 K"
"nvvsvc.exe","3220","Console","3","7,496 K"
"taskhost.exe","3768","Console","3","8,188 K"
"dwm.exe","6336","Console","3","36,568 K"
"explorer.exe","5220","Console","3","57,964 K"
"itype.exe","2708","Console","3","13,188 K"
"ipoint.exe","4816","Console","3","13,012 K"
"hpqtra08.exe","4016","Console","3","21,928 K"
"NCProTray.exe","6168","Console","3","6,072 K"
"VDeck.exe","5016","Console","3","5,600 K"
"Updater.exe","6936","Console","3","11,216 K"
"vprot.exe","3188","Console","3","15,436 K"
"GarminLifetime.exe","5672","Console","3","46,120 K"
"svchost.exe","516","Services","0","8,616 K"
"avgui.exe","1868","Console","3","20,404 K"
"BelkinRouterMonitor.exe","5984","Console","3","13,920 K"
"nvtray.exe","1492","Console","3","21,368 K"
"hpqste08.exe","2096","Console","3","11,544 K"
"hpqbam08.exe","6724","Console","3","6,008 K"
"svchost.exe","2676","Services","0","4,036 K"
"firefox.exe","6368","Console","3","261,680 K"
"plugin-container.exe","3664","Console","3","16,672 K"
"hpqgpc01.exe","3212","Console","3","9,808 K"
"plugin-container.exe","6428","Console","3","15,596 K"
"FlashPlayerPlugin_11_5_502_146.exe","3148","Console","3","10,104 K"
"FlashPlayerPlugin_11_5_502_146.exe","6868","Console","3","18,100 K"
"avgcsrva.exe","5764","Services","0","3,712 K"
"avgcsrva.exe","1552","Services","0","396 K"
"audiodg.exe","4624","Services","0","16,728 K"
"taskeng.exe","4128","Services","0","5,244 K"
"cmd.exe","4776","Console","3","2,828 K"
"conhost.exe","3668","Console","3","5,820 K"
"tasklist.exe","3556","Console","3","5,928 K"
"clip.exe","5740","Console","3","2,824 K"
"WmiPrvSE.exe","5500","Services","0","6,640 K"

Davelicious

Okay, that looks pretty clean. I was going to give you instructions for killing explorer.exe (the usual culprit for all file-lock issues) but I might get you to do one more thing to confirm this, so I don't end up wasting your time.

I need you to download a program called Process Explorer then run it (just open the ZIP file and double-click on the procexp application at the bottom). Accept the agreement as necessary.

With the main Process Explorer window active, press [CTRL] + [F] on your keyboard, then type sims 3 into the box and click on Search. This will create a list showing you all the programs that have locked your Sims 3 folder. You can also try emptying the search box and searching for electronic arts too. Just write down any .exe's on the left and report back here (don't worry about duplicates).

I'm only expecting one or more instance of explorer.exe to be listed but if there any other .exe's, let me know. We will need to shut those down before you can access your Sims 3 folder again. Hopefully, nothing will appear at all.

KSkywalker4571

Nothing comes up for either sims 3 or electronic arts.

Davelicious

That's good to hear. Proceed with the steps below to reset the permissions on your Electronic Arts folder:

1) Open a Command Prompt as Administrator (see "How do I run a command with elevated privileges?").
2) Copy and paste the following text into the command prompt window (to paste, just right-click in the black area and select Paste):

cd "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" && (takeown /f "Electronic Arts" /r /d Y & icacls "Electronic Arts" /reset /T) >"%TEMP%\eaPathReset.log" & notepad "%TEMP%\eaPathReset.log" & exit


3) Press [ENTER].
4) A notepad window will open where you can review the changes. If everything is successful, close the window.
5) You should now be able to make changes to your Electronic Arts folder again and everything inside it.

KSkywalker4571

Windows 7

Hopefully, I'll be able to decipher this in the morning! Thanks!

Davelicious

Thanks, I've updated the link for Windows 7.

KSkywalker4571

Hooray!

Great directions! You just missed a little detail though.....Restart Computer.

Thank You! Your help is greatly appreciated!

Davelicious

You're most welcome

EA_Lanna

Spilt recent necro'd posts to new thread and closing thread. New thread can be found here: "Issues renaming/deleting Sims 4 folders"