Folder locked as Read Only

[Danno]

Somehow I've gotten my Program Files folder marked as Read Only. This of
course prevents me from updating data files, or deleting anything under PF.

I tried using the properties tab to uncheck RO, but that didn't work. Tried
the same thing in safe mode, but it didn't work either. I restored the
registry to a time before the problem using ERDNT, but it didn't work
either. I tried changing the attributes using CMD, and I booted up in
Command mode only. Neither one would let me change the attribute.

HELP!

Thanks in advance,
Dan Hacker

W2000ProSP4

 

[Bob I]

Your problem is that the "RO" box on the Properties Tab has no effect on
and doesn't apply to the "Read-only" attribute of the Folder, only the
files IN the folder. Please prove to yourself that "Read only" is not
set on the folder. In Windows Explorer, with the contents of C:
displayed, r-click on the Column headers, and "tick" "Attributes". Now,
view the attributes for "Program Files". You don't see an "r", do you.

 

[Danno]

Aaahhhhh, sorry, but under Windows Explorer the attributes of the Program
Files folder are RA. Using a command prompt, and the attrib command, it
also shows the attribures of PA to be RA.

Thanks for the reply,
Dan Hacker

 

[Ben Myers]

Somehow I've gotten my Program Files folder marked as Read Only. This of
course prevents me from updating data files, or deleting anything under PF.

I tried using the properties tab to uncheck RO, but that didn't work. Tried
the same thing in safe mode, but it didn't work either.

<snip>

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256614/EN-US/

Ben

 

[Bob I]

In that case at the command prompt at root of C:.

attrib -R "Program Files"

 

[Danno]

You are a frickin' genius!!!

Now can you tell me why "Command>attrib -r progra~1" didn't work, but
'Command>attrib -R "Program Files"' worked? Afterall, the more I
understand, the more dangerous I become

Thanks also to Ben Myers for his suggestion.


What would I do without my newsgroups,
Dan

 

[Danno]

Crud!

Now I've got another folder marked as RA. It's path is "C:\The Paper Mill\C
Drive\Program Files." I tried the 'attrib -R' from both the "C:\The Paper
Mill\C Drive" directory and the "C:\" directory. Neither of them would
change the attribute.

Please help me again.


Thanks,
Dan

 

[Bob I]

Are you getting "Access denied"? If so "Take ownership" of the
directory. Otherwise at "C:\"

attrib -R "C:\The Paper Mill\C Drive\Program Files"

should do the trick.

 

[Danno]

Yes, I'm getting "access denied." Aahhhh, how do I take ownership?


Many thanks,
Dan Hacker

 

[Bob I]

HOW TO: Take Ownership of Files
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/268019

 

[Danno]

Like I said. You're a frickin' genius. I followed the directions in the KB
article. Then, after several fiddles, I figured out that I had to go to a
command prompt to change the attribute.

I'm going to put this message in the "Refences" folder. I don't ever want
to go through this again.


Many, many thanks,
Dan Hacker

 

[Bob I]

Glad to hear you have the bugger sorted. As to how those folders got
read-only set originally? Well, that's a bit of a puzzle but given the
"ownership" issue, something was fiddling with them. ;-)