Read Only Files?

[anna]

Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone could help me with a query I have on Read Only Files.

I have such a lot of work in my computer, and like most of us I don't want to lose this. I chair several committees and recently whilst still having the information on my hard drive. I copied some important files to my e drive which on my computer is my CD writeable drive. I've done this often. But, recently I wanted to work on a folder on one of my CD's and was told that this 'file is read only'.

Do any of you know how I can change this setting. Most of my files which I would copy to CD will need to be accessed by me at various times in order to edit, then re-distribute. As a safety measure I still have them on my hard drive.

I want to save disk space on my hard drive which was why I thought it would be a good idea to move a lot of files and folders to the CD.

If you can help I'd be much obliged - I don't know nearly as much as I should know about my computer.

I also had intended that by taking this action, it would allow me to use one of the CDs whilst working in the garden in the summer on my laptop.
Anna xx

[Antonio_f2s]

Hi Anna,

A read-only file is any file with the read-only attribute turned on. You should be able to change this, first right click on the file, then select properties and untick Read-only from the Attributes, then click apply and Ok.

[anna]

Antonio - you are an angel - I didn't even give that a thought LoL thank you so much xx

[anna]

I just had a look by selecting one of the files read only was checked and hidden and archive unchecked - now I have unchecked read only.

oops - now what...

as soon as I unchecked 'read only' then clicked 'ok' an error appeared telling me
'an error occured applying attributes to a file'
E:\.........
Access is denied.

Any ideas?

does it make any difference that I clicked 'ok' rather than 'apply'?

Let me tell you exactly what I did. I highlighted the file in question, right clicked on it and selected properties - the properties gave me the three options as above, which when I unchecked 'read only' I got the error as I've described. Next time I actually opened the file in question, under 'file' I selected 'properties' and when the properties window came up I noticed that the attributes sections was shaded for everything, so I didn't get the chance that way to click or not to click - if you see what I mean - so that looks like a default setting.

[Ferret42]

doesnt help your current problem but why not use a USB pen drive, can hold much more data, faster access speeds and no problems with read/write permissions

[nash]

Hi Anna,

You wont be able able to change permissions whilst the file sits on a cd, as they are only read only.

If you want the ability to work on files whilst your "on the move" so to speak, you should invest in a USB stick

[Ferret42]

just re-read your post, to be able to do what you are wanting too, then you would need to be using a CD-RW (re-witeable CD) you would not be able to change the file permissions on a CD-R once recorded.

[anna]

Originally Posted by Ferret42

just re-read your post, to be able to do what you are wanting too, then you would need to be using a CD-RW (re-witeable CD) you would not be able to change the file permissions on a CD-R once recorded.

in otherwords a Data CD you mean, I think. The ones I used for this were what I had, that's the ones I normally use for copying my music over.

Also I do have a stick which I use for other things. My problem is that on occasion I may need to hand these CDs over to someone else on the committee - do not envisage this at the moment, but possibly in future.

I think you've answered my question.

[Ferret42]

You need to set your cd up as a "live file system"

Which CD or DVD format should I use? - Windows Vista Help

[anna]

thank you ferret I'll read up on this.