Access Denied on a directory

[RDT]

I have a cpu running XP pro with a second hard drive addressed as E:\. On
this drive is a directory called "System Volume Information". I am signed in
as administrator but when I try to access this folder it says "System volume
information is not accessable, access denied". I don't know if this is
related, but my antivirus software recently reported a virus in C:\system
volume information but I could not find that file. I have "show hidden files"
checked and "hide system files" unchecked. What does all this mean? Thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

System Volume Information is the root folder on each drive that is
contains the System Restore points. This folder is protected by a
ACL ( Access Control List ) that prevents users ( even with Admin
privileges ) from accessing the content.
Viruses and other Malware can be retained in Restore Points so
if your AV indicates a virus is within the folder the only approach
is to turn off System Restore, Reboot and then re-enable.
You can change/modify the ACL for XP Pro or XP Home while
booted into Safe Mode - but there is little reason to do so.