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General discussion

File attribute problems

Feb 3, 2004 10:28AM PST

After re-installing windows XP SP1, I was unable to change the readonly attribute of all the files on my harddrive. Programs such as Norton Antivirus are unable to update, and many other programs do not function. When this problem started occuring, i formatted my harddrive and reinstalled Windows from DOS, but the problem has not been solved.

Any help would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Re:File attribute problems
Feb 3, 2004 10:40AM PST

Something's not written in your post.

For example the "System Volume Information" directory is by design UNTOUCHABLE by you. If this is a directory under scrutiny, it would be nice to know so a dialog can start as to why this is so.

There are also some System Restore items that Norton will not be able to remove the virus from. Again, this is by design and there are documents telling what to do.

In closing, write more depth about the issue so the forum can see the issue.

Bob

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Re:Re:File attribute problems
Feb 3, 2004 11:21AM PST

The problem is that whenever I uncheck the read only attribute; on any of my folders, it is automatically reset to read only. There is no way to change this property, and all folders that I create are also set as Read only. Does anyone know how to get the folders to stay with the read only box unchecked?

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This feels more like a virus/worm issue.
Feb 3, 2004 11:35AM PST

Or you are trying this on some CDRW media.

Since the MyDoom varient could do this, I'm going to jump the gun early and note the a few are finding the STINGER item at http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=1313&start=0 has been scoring a direct hit/removal on this or what it was.

Be aware the new bugs are not always detected with your installed antivirus because it installed itself and is now able to dynamically defend against your scans.

If this was my machine, I'd do all five scans, to be sure.

CWSHREDDER is unlikely to be needed, but I don't allow pests on the machine. You can find CWSHREDDER at http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

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The next possibilitites are:

1. CHDKSK /F needs to be run. A reboot is required.

2. You don't "own" the directory. Odd, but I'd seen this oddity when an user was playing with accounts, moving files and such. Fixes were with Explorer under the ownership button (hint: TAKE OWNERSHIP)

Thanks for writing a bit more and best of luck,

Bob

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Re:This feels more like a virus/worm issue.
Feb 3, 2004 12:53PM PST

thanks for the help