I have a Dell 4700 - 1.256 gb  DDR2 ram - Win XP SP2 (legit) - 40 gb SATA C: (system drive) - several removable USB drives - hardwired home networking (Netgear switch)

I use most of the usually recommended monitoring TOOLS including Norton System Works, Spybot, EVEREST, etc., etc.  I defrag regularly.  I use a Classic DISPLAY for all folders and the Desktop.

Problem:  I cannot change Read-only display using the Properties Tab for any Read-only file or folder on any drive.

Example:  I select a file (or folder) and right-click to Properties - if it is LISTED as Read-only, I uncheck the box and click Apply - if it is a folder, a Confirm Attribute Changes box appears and I apply changes to folder (and contents) and click OK.

I then select the file or folder again and look at Properties and find Read-only is still checked.

Note:  the above only happens if the file or folder was found to be Read-only in Properties.  Other files and folders can be changed properly.

Effects:  other than the Properties display window, there seems to be no effect.  The Read-only problem files or folders can still be moved, deleted, etc.

I have tried disabling all monitoring, anti-spyware, firewalls, antivirus processes with no change in display problem.

I may be missing something obvious or I could have some sort of corruption in the preloaded system.

As far as I know this problem existed before I bought this PC used 3 months ago.  I have made major changes in the original hardware and added dozens of new programs.  The PC appears to work normally otherwise.

Thanks for any help/suggestions in advance!Dell:

Do you mean you cannot change the read only permissioin on the General tab or the read only permission on the Security tab of the folder properties dialog box?

DocDoc,

I cannot change the Attributes display in the General Tab.

I believe that the file or folder attributes may be changed when I change the properties, however, the display still shows Read-only.

If it helps, I can give you a snapshot.

ThanksDell:

No need for the screen shot.  There are several causes of this, so i need to ask more questions to determine which one is most likely:

Are you able to change the read only attribute on a folder on your local machine (the computer you are using right now) but just unable to change the attribute on a remote node (the other computer connected to the network)?

DocDoc,

I cannot change the Read-only attribute display for any file or folder on my Dell 4700 (using the Dell - the one I'm typing this on).

And, since you asked, I have the same problem across my network to my other PC (Sony VAIO, 300 mhz, 382 mb ram, 80 gig hd, Win ME).  IAW I cannot change the attributes on my Sony files using my Dell across the network.

When I try to modify the files on my Sony or the Dell (using the Sony) I have no problems.

ThanksDell:

Sorry for the delay (i was on the hardware discussion page).

Lets take care of the local computer problem first.

Are you logged on with an administrator account, a limited user account, or something else?

Is yours the only user account on this machine, or do you share the computer with other users? and do you see the Welcome screen where you may choose your user account or does the computer boot right to the desktop without asking for your user name and password?

Is the operating system Windows XP Home or Pro?

DocDoc,

As far as I know, I am trying to use simple home networking and I tried to set it up that way.

I believe I logon as an administrator (?) with the Dell (and the Sony too).

For the Dell, I do not get a log on screen at startup.  I access the network via My Network Places.  When I do this for the first time after boot, I get a small logon screen when I try to access my Sony.  If I access another drive or a folder on another drive on my Sony, I get another small screen for logon.

For my Sony, I do get a logon screen at startup and never have to logon again until I reboot the Sony.

For now, these are the only PCs on my simple hardwired home network.

I use Win XP Home Edition with SP2 (preloaded).  I don't have the original system or restore disc (if any).Dell:

OK, thanks for the info.  

What user name and password are you using when you logon to the other computer?

What user name are you using on the Dell? (it should appear at the top of the Start menu when you click the Start button).

While you are working on the Dell, are you unable to change the read only attribute for some folders or for all folders?

To check this out, open My Computer on the Dell, double-click Local Disk (C), right click in a blank area of the Local Disk (C) window and choose New | Foler.  

Let me know if you are able to create a new folder and whether or not you are able to change the attributes for that folder.

DocDoc,

Okay, I created a new folder on my Dell C: drive.  I opened properties for the folder and it was listed as Read-only.  I unchecked the attribute and applied the change.

When I reopened the folder properties, it was still showing Read-only.

Just for curiosity, I opened the new folder on the Dell using my Sony and checked the properties.  It showed that the folder was not Read-only!

For your other questions:

Dell - User:  USER   PW:  7173    (Workgroup:  HOME)
Sony - User:  Sony  PW:  7173    (Workgroup:  HOME)

Thanks for your help!Dell:

OK, you may be on to something, here.  Try deleting the folder you just created.  If Windows will let you delete it, then it is NOT read only.

DocDoc,

I was able to delete the new folder that showed Read-Only attribute using my Dell.

Again for curiosity, I created another folder on my Dell and set the attribute to Read-only (uncheck, then check) and I was able to delete this folder too.

DellDell:

OK, i've heard of this problem with Windows XP but never verified it was true till now.  Thanks for teaching me something new!



If you are able to modify files that are incorrectly marked as read only, then there is not a significant problem.  Try the Windows update utility (Start | All Programs | Windows Update) to see if the Microsoft website has a hot fix to correct this.

Blessings to you,
Doc
Doc,

Okay, thanks for trying.

You are right about it not being too serious, however, I still won't know via properties whether the permissions are true or not until I fix this.

I will check MS and others, and hopefully others may have some insight.

Thanks,
DellYeah, since you are obviously not the only one with this problem, my guess is Microsoft is aware of it and may have an update you may download and install to correct it.

Take it easy!
Doc