How to find out what program is using a file?

PapaLazaru · 7 Aug 2012 at 21:55

I have been having this really frustrating problem recently when try to play a game of BF3. This only happens after I have finished my first game and this is the message I get when I try and rejoin -

I have scanned, reinstalled, everything. How can I find out what is using the web plugin?

Thanks.

Nickyyy · 7 Aug 2012 at 22:21

Tried looking at event logs? Do you have any other web browsers installed that start when windows does aswell as your default?

Terrier_Jimlad · 7 Aug 2012 at 22:59

FileMon would be your best bet although I think it's replaced by ProcessMon now?

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896642.aspx

The ESN launcher program only tends to launch when you join a "party" in Battlelog - is that something you do?

PapaLazaru · 7 Aug 2012 at 23:20

Nickyyy said:
Tried looking at event logs? Do you have any other web browsers installed that start when windows does aswell as your default?

No other browsers running. I have no idea what to look for in the event logs either.

Terrier_Jimlad said:
FileMon would be your best bet although I think it's replaced by ProcessMon now?

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896642.aspx

The ESN launcher program only tends to launch when you join a "party" in Battlelog - is that something you do?

I get the message as soon as I browse the server list. I can 'ok' it and try and join but I can never join as I load in forever. I actually tried that program last night, but it is hard to grab it as it only appears at the beginning of a server load then stops. It does not appear to run at any other time so I have no idea why I am getting this message.

I am actually planning on a total reformat and reinstall because it is driving me up the wall.

Terrier_Jimlad · 7 Aug 2012 at 23:26

What happens if you load Battlelog in a different browser?

Narj · 7 Aug 2012 at 23:30

Is the process for the game still running?

FileMon is spot on but as above, i think it's called procMon now.

PapaLazaru · 8 Aug 2012 at 12:30

Terrier_Jimlad said:
What happens if you load Battlelog in a different browser?

Same thing with all of them.

PianoBasher said:
Is the process for the game still running?

FileMon is spot on but as above, i think it's called procMon now.

The game is still running along with an EA server thing. The web plugin appears to stop running as soon as you start loading but I still get this message when I have come out of a game. It appears it is only used for browsing and initially joining a server so god knows what program can be using it all the time (after the initial game).

Going to try the standalone browser detailed here tonight -

http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf3/forum/threadview/2832654624729736565/

Pho · 8 Aug 2012 at 13:24

Process Explorer -> Find > Find Handle or DLL. It'll tell you the PID/exe of the process holding it.

Enter in part of the filename/path/whatever and click search.

PapaLazaru · 8 Aug 2012 at 14:25

Pho said:
Process Explorer -> Find > Find Handle or DLL. It'll tell you the PID/exe of the process holding it.

Enter in part of the filename/path/whatever and click search.

Cheers but I have tried that alread but the actual file is only ever running for a few seconds so it cannot locate it to tell me what is using it.

I am totally stumped (or infected).

PapaLazaru · 8 Aug 2012 at 23:27

Happening loads tonight. Tried every browser as well.

PapaLazaru · 9 Aug 2012 at 21:53

Well, I finally got to the bottom of the problem, though I have not got a fix. I found this great little program - http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/.

It has shown me that it is my damn AV (Panda) causing the problem, even though the program has been added to the exceptions on the firewall.

I have started a thread on their forums and am hoping for a permanent fix but the good news is that I can kill the process with ease when I want to join a game.