How can I unfreeze a file being dragged?

Problem
On my Mac Mini, the operation to drag a pdf file from the downloads folder to the desktop has frozen. Nothing I do, can delete the file, interrupt the process or arrest the spinning progress wheel.
Other Symptoms
The rest of the system (OSX 10.7.3) has become sluggish and Paralles 7 / Windows 7 won't open.  Some preferences in Mail (from whiuch the pdf origintaed) have become corrupted or lost. 
Now, Finder wont reveal certain document sub-folders which were connected with the 'dragging' operation, but shows them empty even though I have since moved files into them.
Solutions Tried so Far
I've run Cocktail (including repair permissions), rebooted several times and re-started in safe mode.
Proposed Solutions
Re-Install the OS
Re-Format and rebuild all programmes, apps and files from uncoruupted back-ups
Before embarking on this fairly heavy process I'd value any more informed suggestions please. 
Many thanks.
Message was edited by: Sooty

For the record and in the hope it may help others with a similar snag, this is the questoner posting the solution I've finally worked out. As is so often the case, it was simple to solve and I am very red-faced that I didn't think of it sooner!
Force quit all the apps AND relaunch Finder. Viola! The errant file that refused to be dragged to a new location did make it to the new destination, the wretched revolving progress wheel and dialogue box disappeared and everything works fine once again!
Thanks to all that looked in...

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