Problem Deleating Files Off Hard Drives

For the past few weeks i have been having problems deleating some files and folders on my slave and master hard drives while using Windows XP Pro SP2. It would when i choose to deleate a file or folder it would say cant delate "something" as it is being used by something (i cant remember exactly what it is). But i know for certain it is not in use by anything.

Today i just for the first time installed a new USB hard drive and tried to deleate some files on this and once again the in use by something came up so i couldnt deleate them it was also saying the har drive is write protected which is absurd as why will it let me deleate some files from it.

Is there anyway i can overrule this and force a deleate from my hard drives or is there any quick deleating (free) applications that will just quickly deleate a file (i dont mean forensically deleate which takes hours to deleate one folder) i just mean quick deleate.

Thanks

 

You can use Unlocker, just rightclick on the file and choose Unlocker.

 

Start your computer in SAFE MODE.........an then delete (remember.., Safe Mode Bypasses everything but a traffic cop)

 

move on boot