Can't copy file properties

ManxNora

New Member
Hi all

I am not the most computer savy, so would appreciate replies in layman's terms!

I am trying to copy my iTunes music files and photos from my (Vista) laptop onto an external hard drive in order to transfer to my new Mac. The majority of these files copied no problem, but about 50 or so come up with the error message 'do you want to copy this file without it's properties.' I have looked in the properties and it's marked 'read-only.' I have tried to change this and apply (it looks as though it's doing it) but then when I go back into the properties, it's reverted back to 'read-only.'

I have tried altering permissions and ownership of the files so that I should in theory have complete control over these files. Still says 'read-only' and still can't copy the files.

I have turned off UAC - same problem.

I have tried removing the 'read-only' attributes as per this article:

You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

And it comes up with 'paramater format not correct -'

I have been to various forums and seen others with the same problem and yet nobody seems to have an answer which works for me.

I have ran out of ideas, and because I am not technically enough minded, I cannot even think of what else to try. All I want to do is have all of my media transferred onto my Mac so I can change OS on my laptop as I do not enjoy working with Vista.

Please can someone help??

Many thanks
 

My Computer

Hi, well, rather than solving the problem from within Vista itself, use a bootable CD to boot from- a basic Windows environment.

Boot from the CD (you need to make sure your BIOS setting prioritises your CD/DVD drive before your hard drive); respond to the boot message sthg like "Press any key to boot from your CD", wait for it to load up a basic OS.
(See e.g. How to boot from a CD for a fuller example)

That should allow you to access the disk on your PC and the device you wish to copy to, and so copy the file. There are many of these around... either free to download (Hiren's Boot CD, Ultimate Boot CD for example), or supplied with programs like partition managers or disk imaging programs. Good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD Athlon X2
    Memory
    3Gb
    Hard Drives
    500Gb 7200RPM
    Other Info
    Laptop HPG60
Hi ManxNora. For whatever it's worth, I have the same issue every time I backup my files to an external source (in my case it's flashdrives/memory sticks), but the good news is that the error message doesn't seem to affect the actual files that are transferred. In other words, when I actually open and use those files, they seem to operate perfectly well. 'Something' may, in actuality, be missing from them, but it so, I'm not aware of it. . . which is really what's important, isn't it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t (Gen. 1)
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
    Keyboard
    built in - HP
    Mouse
    built in - Synaptics TouchPad V6.5 on PS/2 Port
    Internet Speed
    max
    Other Info
    ~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
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