All folders on HD are read-only, can't install anything

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Guest

This afternoon my computer started to get really sluggish and froze (just
froze on desktop, no BSOD). So I hit the reboot button. Then I had to
download/install a program (totally clean/legit) but I coulnd't save or
immediately run it because I kept getting a "disk-protected message. That's
when I discovered all my folders (not files) were marked read-only.
Interestingly enough, I'm able to make changes to current documents (e.g.
text) and save my changes succesfully.

NOTE: I'm not 100% sure it may have only happened *now*. I haven't installed
anything for a long time, like within the past few months. So this error
could have started between now and then.

I think I have the 'typical' bug where my folders have the green-box beside
"read-only", and it doesnt go away even if u change it to an empty box. I've
read some short fixes. I tried the command line fix, the regedit fix, neither
worked. I read about a 'security tab' fix, but none of my windows have the
security tab!! Any other ideas you guys may have?
 
phillr said:
This afternoon my computer started to get really sluggish and froze (just
froze on desktop, no BSOD). So I hit the reboot button. Then I had to
download/install a program (totally clean/legit) but I coulnd't save or
immediately run it because I kept getting a "disk-protected message.
That's
when I discovered all my folders (not files) were marked read-only.
Interestingly enough, I'm able to make changes to current documents (e.g.
text) and save my changes succesfully.

NOTE: I'm not 100% sure it may have only happened *now*. I haven't
installed
anything for a long time, like within the past few months. So this error
could have started between now and then.

I think I have the 'typical' bug where my folders have the green-box
beside
"read-only", and it doesnt go away even if u change it to an empty box.
I've
read some short fixes. I tried the command line fix, the regedit fix,
neither
worked. I read about a 'security tab' fix, but none of my windows have the
security tab!! Any other ideas you guys may have?
Click to expand...
Well, I certainly don't know why you are getting this message. I do know
though that the folder protections are not the problem. You see, every
folder on every XP machine has the folders marked read-only by design.

Instead, you should review the protections on the disk.
Jim
 
Folders cannot be read-only, only files can be read-only.

The green-box means that some of the files in the folders may be read-only.

There is no fix, because there is nothing to fix.

What was the actual error message?

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Folder Read-only attribute
[[Specifies whether the files in this folder are read-only, which means that
they cannot be changed or accidentally deleted.

For multiple folders, if you select this check box all of the files in the
folders will be read-only. If you clear the check box, none of the files in
the selected folders will be read-only.]]

Has nothing to do with any of the folders themselves.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
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