Write protection won't stop

[Tobbe]

When I try to turn off thewrite protection on my folders on an USB hard drive
everything works fine, after the usual security questions, but next time I
check the folder, it's write protexted agin. How come? I'm logged in as an
administrator and don't receive any error messages when trying to turn off
the write protextion.

Thanks in advance,

Tobbe

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Tobbe

The 'Read Only' attribute for folders is redundant and is ignored by
Windows. You will notice that the read only box is filled in, as opposed to
having a check mark or being empty.

See the following article for a more complete explanation.

You cannot view or change the Read Only or the System attributes of folders
in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, or in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549

 

[Tobbe]

Thank you for yor answer! When checking the folder with "attrib" in cmd.exe,
it doesn't show as read-only, and when I try to change the attrbute, I get an
"access denied" message. What am I missing here?

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Tobbe

Are you using an elevated command prompt? Which folders are you trying to
change? What problem are you having with these folders that changing the
attribute would solve?

The bottom line is that the read only setting on folders is redundant. The
only thing that matters is that the files in the folders are not read only
and can be changed/used.

 

[Tobbe]

Hmm, my last response disappeared with an "unknown error". Anyway, trying agin.

I'm trying to change the attributes of some MP3 files on my external hard
drive (F. This because one of my audio softwares complain that it can't
write song info (bpm etc.) to the files. I've marked all the files,
right-clicked and un-ticked the "read only" box, but I still get the same
error from the program. When trying the same thing on the whole folder (and
choose "apply to folder and sub-folders") I get the above error.

I don't know if it matters, but all my hard drives (one internal and two
external via USB 2) has the same file system; NTFS. I'm also confused by the
"access denied" error when using cmd.exe. I go to the start menu, fill in
"cmd" in the search field, and get cmd.exe as the answer. I double-click it,
and try to cfhange the attributes with the same result - access denied.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Tobbe

I'm npot sure what is causing the 'unknown error'?

When you start the Command Prompt (cmd.exe) instead of double clicking
cmd.exe to start it, try right clicking and select the 'Run As
Administrator' option.

 

[Tobbe]

Hi again!
Thanks for trying to help me. I wasn't very clear in my last post; the
unknown error was when I tried to post my answer to you, not when trying to
remove the "rad only" tag from files/folders.

I tried to run cmd.exe as administrator, and it sure was better, since I
didn't get any access denied errors. Unfortunately, though, I still have
problems. In Tag&Rename I still get the error shown at
http://www.soderstromsounds.se/error.jpg. Same thing in other programs who
tries to change files, i.e. Photoshop or even MS Word. Creating new files are
no problem, it's just changing existing ones which are a problem. And only on
F: (external hard drive, USB).

Hard nut to crack, but does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tobbe

 

[Tobbe]

Hi again!
Thanks for trying to help me. I wasn't very clear in my last post; the
unknown error was when I tried to post my answer to you, not when trying to
remove the "rad only" tag from files/folders.

I tried to run cmd.exe as administrator, and it sure was better, since I
didn't get any access denied errors. Unfortunately, though, I still have
problems. In Tag&Rename I still get the error shown at
http://www.soderstromsounds.se/error.jpg. Same thing in other programs who
tries to change files, i.e. Photoshop or even MS Word. Creating new files are
no problem, it's just changing existing ones which are a problem. And only on
F: (external hard drive, USB).

Hard nut to crack, but does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tobbe

 

[hourglass_eyes]

I am experiencing the same problem with a WD 1TB notebook. It has become
very frustrating. When I first connected the EHD it worked perfectly then
all the sudden it was write protected. It's been about 7 days of it being
sometimes write protected sometimes not. I have uninstalled Norton AV
thinking
that was protecting it because it thought there was a virus on it. The EHD
was
scanned before and after problem. Detected no virus but I was trying
anything. I've used restore points sometimes they work for a power cycle,
sometimes two but it always write protects the drive sooner or later. I've
changed the owner to administrators, when it wasn't write protected and I was
able to, I've changed permissions to full control for everyone.
I'm about to set this CP on fire and send it back. Any help would be
GREATLY appreciated.