This error typically occurs in games developed by Crystal Dynamics or using their engine, such as the Tomb Raider series (including Marvel’s Avengers
. It indicates that the game launcher cannot gain the necessary exclusive access to a primary data archive, usually because the file is corrupted, missing, or blocked by another process. Core Causes File Corruption: A partial or corrupted download of the large Permissions/Security Interference:
Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software may be locking the file to scan it, preventing the game from gaining "exclusive" access. Installation Source Issues:
Errors frequently arise when games are installed through the Microsoft Store/Xbox App
on Windows, which handles file permissions differently than Steam. Disk Errors:
Physical sectors on the drive failing (bitrot) can make specific large files unreadable. Recommended Solutions Description Verify File Integrity Steam client to "Verify Integrity of Game Files" or the to "Repair" the installation. Delete & Redownload Manually delete the specific bigfile000
) from the game's installation folder, then run a file verification to force a fresh download of just that file. Antivirus Exceptions Add the game's installation folder to your antivirus exclusions list
to ensure security software isn't locking the files during launch. Microsoft Store Reset If using the Xbox App, run a PowerShell command to refresh the store's file scripts and licenses. Administrator Mode Right-click the game's and select "Run as administrator" to bypass basic permission blocks.
If the error persists after multiple re-downloads, try installing the game on a different drive
(especially an SSD) to rule out hardware-level data corruption on your primary disk. Steam Community PowerShell command used to refresh Microsoft Store game files?
The error message "unable to open bigfile bigfile000 exclusive"
typically indicates that an Oracle database instance is attempting to gain exclusive access to a bigfile tablespace's datafile (e.g., during a startup or a recovery operation), but another process or session is already holding a lock on it. Oracle Forums Core Causes Stale NFS/Storage Locks : If the database files are hosted on
, the storage server may still think the file is open even after a database crash or restart. Existing Database Sessions : Another active session might be performing DDL operations
(like a resize or pre-allocation) that requires an exclusive lock on the file header. Parallel Process Contention
: Concurrent parallel DML or RMAN backup operations may sometimes conflict if they require certain exclusive lock modes. Multiple Instances
: In a RAC (Real Application Clusters) environment, another instance might have the file opened in a way that prevents your instance from gaining exclusive access. Recommended Troubleshooting Steps PARALLEL DML with exclusive table locks - Ask TOM
The error message "unable to open bigfile bigfile000 exclusive" typically indicates a file locking conflict or a permissions issue within an Oracle Database environment using Bigfile Tablespaces.
This occurs when the database engine or a background process attempts to gain "Exclusive" access to the datafile (often for maintenance or startup) but finds the file already engaged or unreachable. Common Causes unable to open bigfile bigfile000 exclusive
External File Locks: Another OS-level process (like a backup agent or antivirus) is holding the file.
Zipped/Compressed Files: The file may be compressed or stored in a way that prevents the DB engine from mounting it directly.
Incorrect Permissions: The Oracle service account lacks read/write/execute permissions for that specific file path.
Stuck Background Process: A previous failed instance or process (like a crashed RMAN session) didn't release the lock. Troubleshooting & Fixes 1. Check File Status in Oracle
Log in via SQL*Plus as SYSDBA and check if the file is online or offline:
SELECT FILE#, NAME, STATUS FROM V$DATAFILE WHERE NAME LIKE '%bigfile000%'; Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
If the status is RECOVER, you may need to apply media recovery.
If it is OFFLINE, try bringing it online: ALTER DATABASE DATAFILE '[path_to_file]' ONLINE; 2. Identify OS-Level Locks
Use system tools to see if another application is using the file:
Linux/Unix: fuser -v /path/to/bigfile000 or lsof | grep bigfile000
Windows: Use Resource Monitor (Disk tab) or Sysinternals Handle to search for the filename. 3. Verify Permissions
Ensure the oracle user (or service account) owns the file and has the correct permissions: Command (Linux): ls -l /path/to/bigfile000
Corrective Action: chown oracle:dba bigfile000 and chmod 660 bigfile000. 4. Check for Instance Crashes
If the database was shut down improperly, a "lock" file or background process might persist. Restarting the listener or the entire server instance often clears these ghost handles. Best Practices for Bigfile Tablespaces
Single File Limit: Remember that Bigfile tablespaces contain only one datafile, which can grow up to 128 TB.
Autoextend: Ensure AUTOEXTEND is on to prevent "out of space" errors that can sometimes trigger access issues.
Exclusions: Always exclude Oracle datafiles (.dbf) from real-time antivirus scanning to prevent exclusive lock conflicts. If you'd like to dive deeper, I can help you: Identify the exact SQL commands to recover the file. This error typically occurs in games developed by
Check your Alert Logs for specific ORA- codes associated with this error.
Review your storage configuration to see if it's a mount point issue. CREATE TABLESPACE - Oracle Help Center
CREATE BIGFILE TABLESPACE bigtbs_01 DATAFILE 'bigtbs_f1.dbf' SIZE 20M AUTOEXTEND ON; * Creating an Undo Tablespace: Example. ... * Oracle Help Center A.2 Physical Database Limits - Oracle Help Center
This error typically indicates that a game or application is unable to access its primary data archive, often seen in titles like Marvel's Avengers Tomb Raider
series. It usually stems from file corruption, insufficient permissions, or interference from security software. Common Solutions Verify Game Files : This is the most effective fix. On , right-click the game in your Library, go to Properties > Installed Files , and select Verify integrity of game files Run as Administrator : Right-click the game’s executable ( ) and select Run as administrator to ensure it has "exclusive" access rights to its files. Check Antivirus/Firewall
: Your security software might be blocking the game from opening the archive. Add the game folder as an in Windows Defender or your third-party antivirus. Rebuild Windows Store Cache
(for Microsoft Store versions): If you are on the Xbox app/MS Store, open PowerShell as an admin and run a command to refresh the store files. Delete and Re-validate Specific Files : Some users have fixed this by manually deleting the bigfile.000 (and related
files) in the game directory and then using Steam's "Verify Integrity" to force a fresh download of those specific files. Disk Space
: Ensure you have enough free space on the drive where the game is installed, as temporary unpacking processes often require extra room. Are you playing this through Epic Games Store Microsoft Store
This error message typically originates from Backup Exec (Veritas/Symantec) or similar enterprise backup software running on Windows. The error unable to open bigfile bigfile000 exclusive indicates that the backup job is attempting to access a specific file—named bigfile000—but cannot do so because another program or process is currently holding a lock on it.
Here is an informative breakdown of why this happens and how to resolve it.
lock option is enabled (not nolock).df -h
mount | grep "^/dev"
The error unable to open bigfile bigfile000 exclusive is almost always a locking contention issue. It is rarely a data corruption issue. The fix usually involves identifying why the file is currently "busy" (another process, stale lock, or permission error) and releasing that hold so the current job can proceed with exclusive access.
Troubleshooting the "Unable to Open Bigfile BIGFILE000 Exclusive" Error
If you’ve encountered the error message "Unable to open bigfile BIGFILE000 exclusive," you’re likely trying to run a game or application—most commonly associated with Square Enix titles like Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, or Hitman—and finding yourself stuck at a crash-to-desktop or a black screen.
This error essentially means the game engine is trying to access its primary data archive (BIGFILE000) with "exclusive" read/write permissions but is being blocked by another process or a system restriction.
Here is a step-by-step guide to fixing the issue and getting back into your game. 1. Disable Exclusive Fullscreen
The most common culprit for this specific error is the "Exclusive Fullscreen" setting in the game's launch options. While this mode is designed to give the game priority over system resources, it often clashes with modern Windows display drivers or background overlays. How to fix: On NFS, ensure lock option is enabled (not nolock )
Open the game’s Setup or Options menu (the small window that pops up before the game actually starts). Look for the Display or Graphics tab. Uncheck the box labeled Exclusive Fullscreen.
Try launching the game in standard "Fullscreen" or "Windowed" mode. 2. Run as Administrator
Sometimes the system prevents the game from gaining "exclusive" access to its own files because of Windows User Account Control (UAC) restrictions. How to fix: Navigate to the folder where the game is installed. Right-click the game’s .exe file (e.g., TombRaider.exe). Select Properties > Compatibility tab. Check the box Run this program as an administrator. Click Apply and restart the game. 3. Verify Game File Integrity
If BIGFILE000 is corrupted or missing a few kilobytes of data, the engine won't be able to open it correctly. Steam and other launchers have a built-in way to repair this without a full reinstall. For Steam users: Right-click the game in your Library. Select Properties > Installed Files. Click Verify integrity of game files.
Wait for the process to finish; it will automatically redownload any corrupted parts of the bigfile. 4. Check for Background Interference
Since the error mentions "exclusive" access, it’s possible another program is already "hooked" into the file or the display.
Antivirus/Firewall: Sometimes security software flags large data archives as suspicious. Add your game folder to the Exclusion List in Windows Defender or your third-party antivirus.
Overlays: Disable overlays from Discord, Steam, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience, as these sometimes interfere with how a game takes control of the screen. 5. Update Graphics Drivers
An outdated GPU driver can struggle to hand over "exclusive" control to the game engine, leading to a handshake failure.
Check the NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Software app for the latest updates. A "Clean Install" of drivers often resolves deeper handshake issues between the OS and the game.
In 90% of cases, unchecking "Exclusive Fullscreen" in the game's launcher settings fixes this error instantly. If that fails, administrative privileges and file verification are your next best bets.
Are you seeing this error on a Steam Deck or a Windows PC, and which specific game are you trying to launch?
The error message "unable to open bigfile bigfile000 exclusive" typically indicates that a game—most commonly from the Tomb Raider series (such as Rise of the Tomb Raider Shadow of the Tomb Raider )—cannot access its primary data archive
. This usually happens because the file is missing, corrupted, or being blocked by another system process. Primary Causes File Corruption or Missing Data : The main archive ( bigfile.000.tiger
) is often incomplete or damaged after a failed update or interrupted download. Antivirus Interference
: Security software like Bitdefender or Windows Defender may flag the file as a threat or lock it, preventing the game from opening it "exclusively". Disk and Memory Issues
: Running out of hard drive space or system RAM can trigger this error during startup or cutscenes. Permissions Conflicts
: The game may lack the necessary administrator rights to claim exclusive access to its own files. Recommended Fixes To resolve this error, try the following steps in order: Verify Game Integrity , right-click the game in your Properties Installed Files