Can't clear read-only attribute on anything in XP-Professional

[G.L. Cross]

Just got my brand new HP Pavilion $1,900 notebook with Windows-XP
Professional installed (the disk that came with it is SP1a). Files and
directories
like "My Documents" are set to read-only. So I go and open the properties
menu, clear the read-only attribute and select apply to this folder and all
files
and subfolders, then select APPLY. It goes through all the motions and seems
to work just fine (no error messages). So I go back and look at the
attributes
again and guess what? Everything is still read-only!!!! So basically I can't
create files anywhere on the disk except in the "temp" folders. And yes I am
logged in as myself, I am the owner of the folders and files, and I am an
administrator. ONLY MICROSTUPID COULD HAVE A BUG SO
BLATENTLY OBVIOUS AS THIS!!!!!!!

How could ANY company let such a idiotic thing get out to release???

Soooo, what ten-hour long procedure do I have to go through to clear the
damned read-only attribute??


- Gordon

 

[Phil]

I suggest you read about it and get knowledgeable on the subject before
complaining about it because it's not a bug and the read-only mark on
folders is essentially meaningless. Sounds like the problem your having has
nothing to do with read-only check boxes. Read below:
Folders are not read-only. XP just marks all folders indeterminate by
default. It is a tri-state check box. Colored in is indeterminate, checked
is read-only, unchecked is normal. The folders are not read-only and should
work as normal. Just ignore the read-only box on folders. If you have a
piece of software that is having problems writing to a folder then try to
get an xp compatible version of the program. Or post the exact problems
you're having.
Most likely if it is a well written app then is it not the read-only check
box, more likely a permissions setting.

Here is some info on it:

XP does this by design. In XP the read only attribute is only used by
explorer to see if the folder is a special or a system folder. Read up on
it:
For XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326549
or for other win versions:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;256614

File permissions info:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q308418

 

[G.L. Cross]

Every application I've tried so far except for Drive Image 7.0 by
PowerQuest (WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY FOR WIN-XP)
can write into a "read-only" folder (or "colored-in" as you say).
If you run Windows Explorer and turn on the attribute display,
these "indeterminate" folders are shown as having read-only set.
When I try to run Drive Image, I get an error that "The Media
is write-protected." However if I create a NEW directory using
Windows Explorer, it gets created with neither the read-only
nor "indeterminate" attribute. And guess what: the program can
now create it's file there!!

Since Microsoft always does things in the STUPID-MOST
ways, if what you are saying is true, then NO DIRECTORY
should EVER have a read-only (or "indeterminate" attribute).
The first rule of programming is to always remain consistent and
unless there is a damn good reason, the SAME rules should apply
to all cases. In all my experience, the only thing that makes sense
is that a read-only attribute on a directory should prevent the
creation, modification, or deletion of files contained in that directory.
However it would ALLOW search, execution, and reading of file
contents in such a directory. Microsoft programmers must be from
Mars because no one else could possibly conceive of such an
ILLOGICAL "let's make a special case of it just for the hell of it"
approach to programming. Read-only on a directory should be
treated no differently than for a file: to prevent changes to the
directory contents (just like it does for a file). In fact, a directory is
a kind of meta-file which contains data about files (name, size,
location, and so on). If it indeed behaves as you say then I could
easily hack into any XP-based system because I'd be able to change
files in ANY directory simply by rename, copy somewhere, modify,
and copy back (because these change the directory entry only yet
in effect change a protected file without ever changing any files!)
Changes to directory contents need to be protected or you've got
no protection at all!!

Besides, it is MY COMPUTER and if I want to change a freaking
attribute, then I expect it to be changed!! If it comes to it, I'll write a
program to go in there and shove whatever I want into that directory's
attribute field.

XP does this by design. In XP the read only attribute is only used by
explorer to see if the folder is a special or a system folder. Read up on
it:

That's STUPID! There already is a "system" attribute or had the programmer
that did this never heard of that (perhaps because for some dumb reason MS
likes to "hide" such files as if they didn't exist).

I'm liking Linux better and better all the time because it makes sense
and it is consistent.


Debate me if you like,

- Gordon

 

[G.L. Cross]

go here and read. Its by design..not a bug...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326549

STUPID DESIGN: SEE MY OTHER POST IN REPLY TO Phil.


- Gordon

 

[Phil]

Not sure if I really have a debate with you here cause I agree with some of
what you are saying. I do believe its a bit inconsistent and confusing. I
think one underlying factor is the "system folder" thing. What ms says is a
system folder is hard to say, seems any install routine created directories
or xp directories/folders are "system folders" because all these types of
folders have the mark in the read-only box, but I'm not really even sure
what the purpose of the mark is. I also think maybe the reason why the
read-only box seems inconsistent and to work differently on folders from in
the past, might be because of the push to permissions and encryption to
regulate access to folders instead of using the read-only box to "lock" out
changes.
I do believe in the kb articles I supplied that there was a way to change
the attributes using the command line. Should allow you to change the folder
attribute if you really need to.
I'm no expert on it, I just had some info to provide.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Just got my brand new HP Pavilion $1,900 notebook with Windows-XP
Professional installed (the disk that came with it is SP1a). Files and
directories
like "My Documents" are set to read-only. So I go and open the properties
menu, clear the read-only attribute and select apply to this folder and all
files

This is not a bug. Try not to be offensive is you want to be helped.
Read only is an attribute that has no meaning for folders (the
directories are always open for writing), and XP makes an alternative
use of it. You can change it and on Apply it will ask if you want the
change applied to all contained objects, but the display of it for the
folder will revert to greyed