CURIOUS - false 'Read Only' in XP

[Guest]

3:26 AM 18-Nov-05

WIN XP GENERAL

CURIOUS - false 'Read Only' in XP
---------------------------------------

Read Only - been transferring files between W98 DeskTop
& XP Home Ed Fujitsu Notebook via USB Flashstick. The XP
unit shows copied/xferred folders & their subfolders as
"Read only" in 'Properties'. This is incorrect.

However, the checkmark and box are slightly dimmed. When I
de-attribute (clear checkbox), apply and OK, all looks OK;
but when check 'Properties' again, we're back to square 1
(dimmed check mark in Read only box),

It doesn't matter if I select the main folder & sbfolders,
or if de-attribute each sub-folder and files. I even re-
attributed and then de-attributed. In the end, it's always
back to square 1. Can't get rid of the dimmed check mark.

If a folder contains a single "....htm" file", the latter
is only "Archive" attributed. However, that file's support
folder (w/all the support graphics) shows a dimmed check
mark in it's Properties 'Read only' box. Yet when I check
the attributes of each graphics file in that folder via
DOS, all are "Archive" attributed only.

Don't have this situation in the similar-age Win98SE comp.

In retrospect, I think I successfully got rid of this
type irritant once at friends XP Laptop by de-attributing
some copied-from-CD files via DOS command line.

What causes this seeming anomaly in XP and how to fix it?

Ted...

--------------------------------

Have just browsed this newsgroup for preliminary answers.
Found following possible and will be checking it out in
meanwhile:

-----------------

From Rick Rogers:

Both Home and Pro:
HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions
in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308418

 

[Tom Porterfield]

3:26 AM 18-Nov-05

WIN XP GENERAL

CURIOUS - false 'Read Only' in XP
---------------------------------------

Read Only - been transferring files between W98 DeskTop
& XP Home Ed Fujitsu Notebook via USB Flashstick. The XP
unit shows copied/xferred folders & their subfolders as
"Read only" in 'Properties'. This is incorrect.

However, the checkmark and box are slightly dimmed. When I
de-attribute (clear checkbox), apply and OK, all looks OK;
but when check 'Properties' again, we're back to square 1
(dimmed check mark in Read only box),

It doesn't matter if I select the main folder & sbfolders,
or if de-attribute each sub-folder and files. I even re-
attributed and then de-attributed. In the end, it's always
back to square 1. Can't get rid of the dimmed check mark.

If a folder contains a single "....htm" file", the latter
is only "Archive" attributed. However, that file's support
folder (w/all the support graphics) shows a dimmed check
mark in it's Properties 'Read only' box. Yet when I check
the attributes of each graphics file in that folder via
DOS, all are "Archive" attributed only.

Don't have this situation in the similar-age Win98SE comp.

In retrospect, I think I successfully got rid of this
type irritant once at friends XP Laptop by de-attributing
some copied-from-CD files via DOS command line.

What causes this seeming anomaly in XP and how to fix it?

There is no fix, it's just the way XP works. See the following KB
article for additional information:

You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[David Candy]

It's not false it is indeterminate.

 

[Guest]

Amazing! Two replies in 15 mins. Fantastic. I wish I could get just
one clear answer like thqat on my USB-USB file transfer link problem
I posted some time ago in the "Win XP Networking and the Web" group.

My sincere thanx to Tom and Dave. I will shortly look a bit deeper into
all this - and also must acknowledge and thank those posting earlier
replies to similar queries, which I just found in Windows XP Basics:

---------------

From GLS858 - quoting Sharon F (in Windows XP Basics newsgroup):

The read only attribute on the folder is meaningless except to Windows'
folder customizations. It does not stop reads and writes to the folder.

Something else is blocking your access, possibly permissions or the program
you are using is interpreting the read only flag on the folder incorrectly.
To fix permissions: If using XP Pro, either shift right click the file to
get a security/permissions option in the right click menu or turn off
Simple Sharing in Folder Options> View. If using XP Home, boot to Safe Mode
to get the permissions tab in the properties sheets.

You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/

"Access is Denied" Error Message When You Try to Open a Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810881

How to set, view, change, or remove special permissions for files and
folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308419
-- Sharon F MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User