Can't change read only on external hard drive

[Guest]

I have all my data on an external hard drive and was working with it from my
old XP-system without a problem. In Vista all files are suddenly read only,
and allthough I unclicked it in my administrator account and applied the
changes, once it is done the files are still read only!
Please let me know how I can get rid of that read only on my stuff
Thanks

Christoph

 

[Michael]

If you are looking at folders, the 'read only' box doesn't apply (which is
why it is a filled in box rather than a check or empty box).

Michael

 

[Guest]

It's not about looking at folders, if I try to open the files in my image
analysis software it tells me that I can't change anything because it's read
only

Christoph

 

[Michael]

OK, perhaps it is a permissions problem, as the files were created on an XP
the owner of the files is probably set to
the XP user.
(assumption: this is a NTFS formatted drive).

In windows explorer, browse to a file that you are having problems 'writing'
(not a directory/folder).

Right click the file, select properties.

Verify that clearing the attribute 'read only will not stay.
(it is currently read only check mark, clear it, apply OK look at properties
again and see that the box is checked (not just filled in) again).

Change ownership for that file:
now select the security tab, advanced button owner tab hopefully you will
NOT be listed as owner (otherwise something else is the problem).

You should be listed in the possible change owner list, select EDIT button
and grant permission.
You and the administrators group should be in this list, select yourself and
apply.

Now try looking at the read only box again, see if you can change and then
try your program that is failing.
If you can now make changes to that file you need to do the same for the
entire drive. Fortunately you don't have to do this on file by file basis,
browse to the drive in question (make sure no files from the drive are in
use, close the editor program you were using to test for instance).
Now change the ownership for the entire drive, at some point you will be
asked if you want to change ownership on all items and included items (or
something like that) say yes and everything will change ownership, now you
should be able to do anything you want with the files.

Michael

 

[Guest]

Michael, thanks for your suggestions, unfortunately it's still there and I
slowly start to hate the day that I agreed to have Vista installed....

- the read only field is surprisingly filled only for the folders and not
for the individual files in the folders
- If I try to change this in the folders (klick on it so that the field is
empty, than hit Apply and than ok) and reopen the properties it's still there.
- if I go to properties - Security I see several accounts but non with my
account name, there is everyone, creator/owner, system, S-and a very long
number behind it, administrators and users. The S-long number thing has a
read question mark in front. If I check the accounts in the control panel I
only have one administrator account in my name and a non-active guest account
- and as I mentioned before I had this drive attached to several computers
running XP and never had any issue about a change in the file properties, and
was always able to access them without any problem.

if you have any other suggestions I would be most grateful, as I really need
to work on that material urgently.....

Thanks

Christoph

 

[Michael]

I repeat,
the readonly box simply doesn not apply to folders. Ignore it, folders are
not readonly.

The S- number is the account number (sort of like a SSN) of the account that
owned the folders and files when they were transfered to the external drive.
That account does not exist on your new machine (resulting in the question
mark).

What you want to do is to take ownership of that hard drive anad all folders
and files in it.

Start orb
click on computer
right click on the drive icon for the external drive
select properties
select security tab
click advanced button
click owner tab
click edit button
there should be at least two entries in 'Change owner two', Administrators,
and your account
click your account to highlight it
click to select the box 'Replace owner on subcontainers and objects'
now click on the OK button, if asked if your really want to do this say yes.

Michael

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Christoph.

This KB article is too technical for me (I'm an accountant, not a techie of
any kind!), but maybe you can get something from it:
You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;326549

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail beta in Vista Ultimate x64)