Can't access files on xp directory?

  • Thread starter Thread starter blogger
  • Start date Start date
B

blogger

When I click on any of the files in a particular directory, I get the
message that the system can't access the file - to check to see if
another program is using it or that I don't have rights.

I've tried this as Administrator wi no success. I did a scandisk and
it came up clean.

I'm assuming there's some kind of disk corruption. Can somebody
suggest a good disk cleanup utility - or other fix? Most of the
utilities I see are for delete file recovery - which isn't the case
here...
 
When I click on any of the files in a particular directory, I get the
message that the system can't access the file - to check to see if
another program is using it or that I don't have rights.

I've tried this as Administrator wi no success. I did a scandisk and
it came up clean.

I'm assuming there's some kind of disk corruption. Can somebody
suggest a good disk cleanup utility - or other fix? Most of the
utilities I see are for delete file recovery - which isn't the case
here...
Click to expand...
I would not assume that there is any kind of disk corruption right off the
bat.
It is much more likely to be a permissions problem.
Go to folder options, and in the view tab, uncheck "simple file sharing"
Check apply

Now go to the folder in question.

Right click and select "properties"
Examine the folder protections using the security tab.
Now, see who can read and who can write.
Next, go to the files in question and repeat the checking.
Eventually, you will find that while you can read, you can't write. So,
change to the correct ones.

Go back to folder options, and in "view" check "simple file sharing"

You may wind up going to the drive itself to change permissions because most
of them are inherited.

You should perform all of these steps as a member of the administrators
group.

Jim
 
XP doesn't have Scandisk. It uses Checkdisk instead. You should run CHKDSK
/R and reboot to let it run to correct file errors. Did you check the
properties of the file folder? Perhaps it is not a valid folder or a leftover
from a bad upgrade from windows 98 or ME. A clean install of XP is always
best.
 
When I click on any of the files in a particular directory, I get the
message that the system can't access the file - to check to see if
another program is using it or that I don't have rights.

I've tried this as Administrator wi no success. I did a scandisk and
it came up clean.

I'm assuming there's some kind of disk corruption. Can somebody
suggest a good disk cleanup utility - or other fix? Most of the
utilities I see are for delete file recovery - which isn't the case
here...
Click to expand...

This is most likely a permissions issue, disk corruption. See these
links. In help and support search on ownership and/or permissions, or
see these articles.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421

How to set, view, change, or remove file and folder permissions in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308418/en-us

How to set, view, change, or remove special permissions for files and
folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308419/en-us
 
Back
Top