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| | #1 (permalink) |
| | Can't change read only on external hard drive I have all my data on an external hard drive and was working with it from my old XP-system without a problem. In Vista all files are suddenly read only, and allthough I unclicked it in my administrator account and applied the changes, once it is done the files are still read only! Please let me know how I can get rid of that read only on my stuff Thanks Christoph |
My System Specs![]() |
| | #2 (permalink) |
| | Re: Can't change read only on external hard drive If you are looking at folders, the 'read only' box doesn't apply (which is why it is a filled in box rather than a check or empty box). Michael "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:FB0C7AFC-D879-4C22-A80C-30E3AEBC816E@microsoft.com... >I have all my data on an external hard drive and was working with it from >my > old XP-system without a problem. In Vista all files are suddenly read > only, > and allthough I unclicked it in my administrator account and applied the > changes, once it is done the files are still read only! > Please let me know how I can get rid of that read only on my stuff > Thanks > > Christoph |
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| | #3 (permalink) |
| | Re: Can't change read only on external hard drive It's not about looking at folders, if I try to open the files in my image analysis software it tells me that I can't change anything because it's read only Christoph "Michael" wrote: > If you are looking at folders, the 'read only' box doesn't apply (which is > why it is a filled in box rather than a check or empty box). > > Michael > > "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:FB0C7AFC-D879-4C22-A80C-30E3AEBC816E@microsoft.com... > >I have all my data on an external hard drive and was working with it from > >my > > old XP-system without a problem. In Vista all files are suddenly read > > only, > > and allthough I unclicked it in my administrator account and applied the > > changes, once it is done the files are still read only! > > Please let me know how I can get rid of that read only on my stuff > > Thanks > > > > Christoph > |
My System Specs![]() |
| | #4 (permalink) |
| | Re: Can't change read only on external hard drive OK, perhaps it is a permissions problem, as the files were created on an XP the owner of the files is probably set to the XP user. (assumption: this is a NTFS formatted drive). In windows explorer, browse to a file that you are having problems 'writing' (not a directory/folder). Right click the file, select properties. Verify that clearing the attribute 'read only will not stay. (it is currently read only check mark, clear it, apply OK look at properties again and see that the box is checked (not just filled in) again). Change ownership for that file: now select the security tab, advanced button owner tab hopefully you will NOT be listed as owner (otherwise something else is the problem). You should be listed in the possible change owner list, select EDIT button and grant permission. You and the administrators group should be in this list, select yourself and apply. Now try looking at the read only box again, see if you can change and then try your program that is failing. If you can now make changes to that file you need to do the same for the entire drive. Fortunately you don't have to do this on file by file basis, browse to the drive in question (make sure no files from the drive are in use, close the editor program you were using to test for instance). Now change the ownership for the entire drive, at some point you will be asked if you want to change ownership on all items and included items (or something like that) say yes and everything will change ownership, now you should be able to do anything you want with the files. Michael "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4527DB4D-67E2-4660-AACF-E57F4FFF0024@microsoft.com... > It's not about looking at folders, if I try to open the files in my image > analysis software it tells me that I can't change anything because it's > read > only > > Christoph > > "Michael" wrote: > >> If you are looking at folders, the 'read only' box doesn't apply (which >> is >> why it is a filled in box rather than a check or empty box). >> >> Michael >> >> "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:FB0C7AFC-D879-4C22-A80C-30E3AEBC816E@microsoft.com... >> >I have all my data on an external hard drive and was working with it >> >from >> >my >> > old XP-system without a problem. In Vista all files are suddenly read >> > only, >> > and allthough I unclicked it in my administrator account and applied >> > the >> > changes, once it is done the files are still read only! >> > Please let me know how I can get rid of that read only on my stuff >> > Thanks >> > >> > Christoph >> |
My System Specs![]() |
| | #5 (permalink) |
| | Re: Can't change read only on external hard drive Michael, thanks for your suggestions, unfortunately it's still there and I slowly start to hate the day that I agreed to have Vista installed.... - the read only field is surprisingly filled only for the folders and not for the individual files in the folders - If I try to change this in the folders (klick on it so that the field is empty, than hit Apply and than ok) and reopen the properties it's still there. - if I go to properties - Security I see several accounts but non with my account name, there is everyone, creator/owner, system, S-and a very long number behind it, administrators and users. The S-long number thing has a read question mark in front. If I check the accounts in the control panel I only have one administrator account in my name and a non-active guest account - and as I mentioned before I had this drive attached to several computers running XP and never had any issue about a change in the file properties, and was always able to access them without any problem. if you have any other suggestions I would be most grateful, as I really need to work on that material urgently..... Thanks Christoph "Michael" wrote: > OK, perhaps it is a permissions problem, as the files were created on an XP > the owner of the files is probably set to > the XP user. > (assumption: this is a NTFS formatted drive). > > In windows explorer, browse to a file that you are having problems 'writing' > (not a directory/folder). > > Right click the file, select properties. > > Verify that clearing the attribute 'read only will not stay. > (it is currently read only check mark, clear it, apply OK look at properties > again and see that the box is checked (not just filled in) again). > > Change ownership for that file: > now select the security tab, advanced button owner tab hopefully you will > NOT be listed as owner (otherwise something else is the problem). > > You should be listed in the possible change owner list, select EDIT button > and grant permission. > You and the administrators group should be in this list, select yourself and > apply. > > Now try looking at the read only box again, see if you can change and then > try your program that is failing. > If you can now make changes to that file you need to do the same for the > entire drive. Fortunately you don't have to do this on file by file basis, > browse to the drive in question (make sure no files from the drive are in > use, close the editor program you were using to test for instance). > Now change the ownership for the entire drive, at some point you will be > asked if you want to change ownership on all items and included items (or > something like that) say yes and everything will change ownership, now you > should be able to do anything you want with the files. > > Michael > > > > "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:4527DB4D-67E2-4660-AACF-E57F4FFF0024@microsoft.com... > > It's not about looking at folders, if I try to open the files in my image > > analysis software it tells me that I can't change anything because it's > > read > > only > > > > Christoph > > > > "Michael" wrote: > > > >> If you are looking at folders, the 'read only' box doesn't apply (which > >> is > >> why it is a filled in box rather than a check or empty box). > >> > >> Michael > >> > >> "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:FB0C7AFC-D879-4C22-A80C-30E3AEBC816E@microsoft.com... > >> >I have all my data on an external hard drive and was working with it > >> >from > >> >my > >> > old XP-system without a problem. In Vista all files are suddenly read > >> > only, > >> > and allthough I unclicked it in my administrator account and applied > >> > the > >> > changes, once it is done the files are still read only! > >> > Please let me know how I can get rid of that read only on my stuff > >> > Thanks > >> > > >> > Christoph > >> > |
My System Specs![]() |
| | #6 (permalink) |
| | Re: Can't change read only on external hard drive I repeat, the readonly box simply doesn not apply to folders. Ignore it, folders are not readonly. The S- number is the account number (sort of like a SSN) of the account that owned the folders and files when they were transfered to the external drive. That account does not exist on your new machine (resulting in the question mark). What you want to do is to take ownership of that hard drive anad all folders and files in it. Start orb click on computer right click on the drive icon for the external drive select properties select security tab click advanced button click owner tab click edit button there should be at least two entries in 'Change owner two', Administrators, and your account click your account to highlight it click to select the box 'Replace owner on subcontainers and objects' now click on the OK button, if asked if your really want to do this say yes. Michael "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:FCB34066-CDCD-4143-89A4-25372652165A@microsoft.com... > > Michael, thanks for your suggestions, unfortunately it's still there and I > slowly start to hate the day that I agreed to have Vista installed.... > > - the read only field is surprisingly filled only for the folders and not > for the individual files in the folders > - If I try to change this in the folders (klick on it so that the field is > empty, than hit Apply and than ok) and reopen the properties it's still > there. > - if I go to properties - Security I see several accounts but non with my > account name, there is everyone, creator/owner, system, S-and a very long > number behind it, administrators and users. The S-long number thing has a > read question mark in front. If I check the accounts in the control panel > I > only have one administrator account in my name and a non-active guest > account > - and as I mentioned before I had this drive attached to several computers > running XP and never had any issue about a change in the file properties, > and > was always able to access them without any problem. > > if you have any other suggestions I would be most grateful, as I really > need > to work on that material urgently..... > > Thanks > > Christoph > "Michael" wrote: > >> OK, perhaps it is a permissions problem, as the files were created on an >> XP >> the owner of the files is probably set to >> the XP user. >> (assumption: this is a NTFS formatted drive). >> >> In windows explorer, browse to a file that you are having problems >> 'writing' >> (not a directory/folder). >> >> Right click the file, select properties. >> >> Verify that clearing the attribute 'read only will not stay. >> (it is currently read only check mark, clear it, apply OK look at >> properties >> again and see that the box is checked (not just filled in) again). >> >> Change ownership for that file: >> now select the security tab, advanced button owner tab hopefully you will >> NOT be listed as owner (otherwise something else is the problem). >> >> You should be listed in the possible change owner list, select EDIT >> button >> and grant permission. >> You and the administrators group should be in this list, select yourself >> and >> apply. >> >> Now try looking at the read only box again, see if you can change and >> then >> try your program that is failing. >> If you can now make changes to that file you need to do the same for the >> entire drive. Fortunately you don't have to do this on file by file >> basis, >> browse to the drive in question (make sure no files from the drive are in >> use, close the editor program you were using to test for instance). >> Now change the ownership for the entire drive, at some point you will be >> asked if you want to change ownership on all items and included items (or >> something like that) say yes and everything will change ownership, now >> you >> should be able to do anything you want with the files. >> >> Michael >> >> >> >> "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:4527DB4D-67E2-4660-AACF-E57F4FFF0024@microsoft.com... >> > It's not about looking at folders, if I try to open the files in my >> > image >> > analysis software it tells me that I can't change anything because it's >> > read >> > only >> > >> > Christoph >> > >> > "Michael" wrote: >> > >> >> If you are looking at folders, the 'read only' box doesn't apply >> >> (which >> >> is >> >> why it is a filled in box rather than a check or empty box). >> >> >> >> Michael >> >> >> >> "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> news:FB0C7AFC-D879-4C22-A80C-30E3AEBC816E@microsoft.com... >> >> >I have all my data on an external hard drive and was working with it >> >> >from >> >> >my >> >> > old XP-system without a problem. In Vista all files are suddenly >> >> > read >> >> > only, >> >> > and allthough I unclicked it in my administrator account and applied >> >> > the >> >> > changes, once it is done the files are still read only! >> >> > Please let me know how I can get rid of that read only on my stuff >> >> > Thanks >> >> > >> >> > Christoph >> >> >> |
My System Specs![]() |
| | #7 (permalink) |
| | Re: Can't change read only on external hard drive Hi, Christoph. This KB article is too technical for me (I'm an accountant, not a techie of any kind!), but maybe you can get something from it: You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;326549 RC -- R. C. White, CPA San Marcos, TX rc@grandecom.net Microsoft Windows MVP (Running Windows Live Mail beta in Vista Ultimate x64) "Christoph" <Christoph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:FCB34066-CDCD-4143-89A4-25372652165A@microsoft.com... > > Michael, thanks for your suggestions, unfortunately it's still there and I > slowly start to hate the day that I agreed to have Vista installed.... > > - the read only field is surprisingly filled only for the folders and not > for the individual files in the folders > - If I try to change this in the folders (klick on it so that the field is > empty, than hit Apply and than ok) and reopen the properties it's still > there. <SNIP> > > Thanks > > Christoph |
My System Specs![]() |
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