Cant modify files due to folder attributes of read-only

[Guest]

I tried to modify/update files on my F:\Image drive and it would not let me
as it stated they were read-only access. I checked the file attributes and
the read-only box was not checked off. I then checked the folders they were
under and their read-only attributes were checked off and shaded in. I
unchecked the box and it looked like all the attributes were updated but
when I closed the window and went back in, nothing had changed and it was
still read-only. I highlighted my F:\Image drive, clicked on View, to
Customize this Folder and under General, the read-only file attribute box was
also checked and shaded. I cleared it like I did with the Folders and got
the same result. I then noticed in my C:\drive in My Documents, the folders
were read-only but the files in them were not and again, I cant modify any of
those files due to the error msg that they are read-only; they aren't but the
folders are. I am not sure what happened but I do know before that I was able
to modify/update any of my personal files on either drive regardless of what
folder they were in. I desperately need to fix this! Does anyone know how
to get rid of this read-only attributes??

Please note, I dont have a lot of computer knowledge so if you do make
suggestions (which I gladly welcome), please be very specific and then I can
follow it.

Am keeping my fingers crossed that all you computer gurus/ wizards can help
me out.

Thanks!!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I tried to modify/update files on my F:\Image drive and it would not let me
as it stated they were read-only access. I checked the file attributes and
the read-only box was not checked off. I then checked the folders they were
under and their read-only attributes were checked off and shaded in. I
unchecked the box and it looked like all the attributes were updated but
when I closed the window and went back in, nothing had changed and it was
still read-only. I highlighted my F:\Image drive, clicked on View, to
Customize this Folder and under General, the read-only file attribute box was
also checked and shaded. I cleared it like I did with the Folders and got
the same result. I then noticed in my C:\drive in My Documents, the folders
were read-only but the files in them were not and again, I cant modify any of
those files due to the error msg that they are read-only; they aren't but the
folders are. I am not sure what happened but I do know before that I was able
to modify/update any of my personal files on either drive regardless of what
folder they were in. I desperately need to fix this! Does anyone know how
to get rid of this read-only attributes??

Please note, I dont have a lot of computer knowledge so if you do make
suggestions (which I gladly welcome), please be very specific and then I can
follow it.

Am keeping my fingers crossed that all you computer gurus/ wizards can help
me out.

Thanks!!

- Start a Command Prompt {Start / Run / cmd {OK})
- Type this command:
attrib -h -r -s /s f:\Image\*.* {Enter}

 

[David Candy]

You can't use wildcards to set folders. Folders require a name. You need to wrap it in a for loop. But note that his folders probably don't have the attribute set.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

The parent folder is f:\Image. It does not have a wildcard,
that's why it works. I recommend you try my command
on your own machine.

attrib -h -r -s /s f:\Image\*.* {Enter}

==========================
"David Candy" <.> wrote in message
You can't use wildcards to set folders. Folders require a name. You need to
wrap it in a for loop. But note that his folders probably don't have the
attribute set.

--

 

[Guest]

David,

I have no idea what that means....but I have noticed that I have the same
problem with my C drive so even when I create new folders they automatically
are read-only but the that I add or transfer are not, but I still cant modify
them....it has to be some sort of internal setting as I did not have this
problem before.... If if makes a difference at all, I have Win XP Pro.

 

[Guest]

Pegasus,

Thanks, I tried that but nothing seemed to change....am wondering if I
should undo what I changed, if so, how?

I noticed the same problem with my c drive....see reply to David, umm maybe
this makes a difference as far as solution goes.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Windows ignores the read only attribute on folders. It's only important on
files. If the files are not marked read only then it is most likely a NTFS
permissions problem. What NTFS (and share if appropriate) permissions does
your account have for the files?

 

[Guest]

Kris,
I have just developed the same problem. Am running XP Pro. Did a backup to
CD of My Documents using Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 yesterday. No problems with
this in the past. Now all the My Documents and sub folders have their
read-only attributes checked off and shaded in. I unchecked the box and it
looked like all the attributes were updated but when I closed the window and
went back in, nothing had changed and it was still read-only. I have had
multiple "hangs" with excel and word trying to open and "save as". No
difference whether I use the backups on CD or the C drive
I am getting pretty desperate - I need access to this gear now
I am taking the recent CD backs to another computer to see if they will load
and save. Virus scan (eTrust Vet) negative. Have done a system retore too!
Any other suggestions out there
Vigneron

 

[Bob I]

Sorry, but the "read-only" checkbox in folder properties has NOTHING to
do with the folder security. ZIP, NADA, ZILCH, BUPKUS. It's ONLY use is
to toggle read-only ON and OFF for the files contained in the folder.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Actually it doesn't even do that. Windows ignores it. It doesn't matter if
it is on or off as far as accessing files is concerned.

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=326549

 

[Guest]

Eureka - my problem did not relate to the r/o check box - It was caused by
conflict s arising out of the 11th April 06 XP security patches (4) - See
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918165 "Problems in Windows
Explorer or the Windows shell after you install security update
MS06-015". I have removed the patch until MS fix the problem
Thanks f 4 your comments
Vigneron

 

[Bob I]

As I stated, all it does is toggle files read-only ON and OFF. That
windows ignores the setting is moot. You will find that many windows
applications DO observe the file attributes. The point was that the
FOLDER attribute is NOT affected whatsoever or indicated by the
"checkbox".

 

[Kerry Brown]

You said " It's ONLY use is to toggle read-only ON and OFF for the files
contained in the folder." This is wrong. Changing the attribute on the
folder will do nothing to the files in the folder. The file attributes for
each file will determine each file's status. Changing the folder attributes
will not cause Windows to change the file attributes.

 

[Bob I]

You also seem to be confusing the checkbox on Folder Properties with
folder attributes. Once again, THE CHECK BOX HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH
FOLDER ATTRIBUTES. The Checkbox in Folder properties WILL and CAN BE
USED to toggle FILE attributes for read-only ON and OFF. No one said
anything about folder attributes changing file attributes.

 

[Kerry Brown]

It seems to be a communications problem. What I comprehend from what you
have posted is that you believe that if you change the attribute for the
folder then all the attributes for the files in the folder will be changed.
Your first post seemed to say this. Your last post is also unclear and could
be taken either way. If this is not what you intended then I apologise. If
it is then you are wrong.

 

[Bob I]

Please do an experiment to see exactly what I refer to.
Pick a folder.
R-click the folder.
Select Properties.
Click the "Read-only" checkbox to cycle it to a black check mark on
White background.
Select Apply
Pick "Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files."
Click Ok, OK.
Now Open the Folder, set view to Detail, and Add attributes to the listing.
You will observe all the Files have the Readonly attribute set. Folders
do not have it set.
You may reverse the readonly on said files by going back to the Folder
Properties and Unchecking the "Readonly" box and applying in the same
manner.

 

[Kerry Brown]

My apologies. It does work as you described. I misunderstood your post.

 

[Bob I]

No problem, accepted, was just trying to clarify what the "darn thing"
was good for, and what it wouldn't do.