Very strange file system activity...

GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
edited January 2005 in Science & Tech
We're experiencing a problem that I've never seen before on our network volume at work. Unfortunately, I have no admin rights whatsoever, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate it anyway.

One specific file is stating that it's locked for editing (already open) and gives the "Read Only" and "Notify" options whenever somebody tries to access it. However, nobody has it open, not even the ID that the message states it's opened from.

I've tried to delete the file and restore our backup version, but every time the directory is accessed the file is back, instantly.

Any ideas?

Comments

  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited December 2004
    What file is it?
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    An excel spreadsheet that we use for reconciling our daily money-movement transactions on the Bank Services team.
  • GobblesGobbles Ventura California
    edited December 2004
    did you specifically scan the file for infection?

    Are you running some sort of corporate virus software, it can lock the file as well.

    sounds however like the file is damaged. Take ownership of the file, move it to another directory, delete it. Restore back up to another directory, and copy it back.

    you will need admin rights or to have an admin do it.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    Yes, we're a huge enterprise, so we've got very rigorous virus scanning at every level. The file is locked by individuals on the team, not the AV software.

    My first guess is that the file was damaged also, but when I did overwrite the existing copy of the file with the backup version (without deleting it) it simply changed who it said was locking the file to the person who had used the backup copy last (back in April, and it hasn't been locked that long). The backup copy in its backup location does not display such behavior.
  • lemonlimelemonlime Canada Member
    edited December 2004
    If you or someone can gain access to the file server, you should be able to see a list of currently opened files from the 'Computer Management Console' under administrative tools. You may want to verify that that file is indeed open from the perspective of the server..
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    The problem is that we're tier 2, and the file server is in tier 4 - there's no way we can get access. I guess this is one of those problems that we have to have somebody else fix. :(
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    If you still need access to the data and to modify it, try this:

    Open the document read-only. Cut and paste all ofthe info into a new spreadsheet and save it with a new name. If you just save it without pasting it into a new file you may bring the problem with the data.

    If you can access safe-mode, then go in and try to dlete the file from there, if not,then you can just manipulate the data in the new file until the IT dept. has a chance to fix stuff..


    It's just a band-aid, but hopefuly it will let you get your work done...
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    Unfortunately, that won't work, since it's not the data but the program behind the spreadsheet that is important. In fact, the vast majority of the sheet's data is replaced each day. Fortunately, they can operate the sheet in Read-Only mode until somebody above us fixes it.
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    I thought you said it was just this one file... If you are able to open other spreadsheets, but not this one, then it's not the proggy. It's the file.
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited December 2004
    I think he means its a fancy spreadsheet with major formating/macros etc.. You can make them look like a database entry form type application etc..

    Its not the data he needs but the form thats getting the data entered. I think thats what he meant by the program in this case.

    Tex
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    Bingo, Tex.

    Today, the spreadsheet was magically cured.
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    Even better.
  • dodododo Landisville, PA
    edited January 2005
    we had a problem like that that was fixed by rebooting the file server. somehow a file just got stuck in existance, and had to get purged somehow.

    ~dodo
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