everything on my computer is read-only

[Kyle]

I am running XP Professional SP2, and all folders on both hard drives
are marked as read only with a green box instead of the standard check,
and when I clear the box and click apply it just goes back to the green
box.

I have tried working as an administrator, changing ownership of the c:
drive through advanced security in properties box etc..., but to no
avail. I know how to change these properties for the folders and
subfolders individually, but I do not know how to deal with these
properties affecting every folder on the computer.

I have also tried the ATTRIB command at the command prompt to remove
read-only from specific folders below the c:

Please help if you can.

 

[AJR]

Could be that the folders/files have been compressed/encrypted.

 

[Kerry Brown]

This is normal. The read only attribute on folders is normally ignored.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/

 

[POP]

Interesting; I've noticed that before, but never knew what it was
about. Still not sure I know<G>, but it's more than I knew
before reading that!

Thanks for the reference, Kerry.

Pop

 

[Kerry Brown]

Your welcome

 

[Kyle]

I apologize for not being as descriptive in the first post, and perhaps
the fact that every folder is read-only may be what's throwing me off
with this problem. But, the problem is that there are certain folders
in which all the files are read-only, especially Microsoft Office
Files, which make them difficult to move or modify. I have been unable
to use XP's cd burning software because I am unable to burn certain
files because I don't have access and I am unable to delete the
temporary files that remain in the to-be-burned folder.

 

[Kerry Brown]

I apologize for not being as descriptive in the first post, and
perhaps the fact that every folder is read-only may be what's
throwing me off with this problem. But, the problem is that there
are certain folders in which all the files are read-only, especially
Microsoft Office Files, which make them difficult to move or modify.
I have been unable to use XP's cd burning software because I am
unable to burn certain files because I don't have access and I am
unable to delete the temporary files that remain in the to-be-burned
folder.

Have you reinstalled Windows? It sounds like an ownership or permissions
problem. Take ownership then change the permissions so you have full
control.