How do you remove read-only attribute

[newbie2005]

Hi, this is my first visit so I hope I am in the right place.
When I try to covert a video file using DIKO I keep getting this error:


11:00:44: DIKO Free 0.78B1
11:00:44: -----------------------------------------------------
11:00:44: *************************
11:00:44: * Getting movie info... *
11:00:44: *************************
11:00:44: -----------------
11:00:44: Processing Movie 0:C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\My Documents\Downloaded video\My movieDvD.XvID-LRC+
11:00:44: Script Template: scripts\avi\DialhotV4.avs
11:00:44: Error: 4
11:00:44: Could not open file
11:00:44: DIKO was not able to open one movie file. This error generally happens when the source movie is
read-only, which is very commom when you copy a movie from a CD.
Please remove the read-only attibute and try again.

Can anyone tell me how to fix this, I have tried everything
I have gone into the file and clicked on properties, unset the read-only attribute select apply and everything seems fine but when I check file again the read-only attribute is back I have no idea what I am doing wrong

I hope that someone can please help me

Thanks
newbie2005

[Sabro]

It may be that the read only flag is set on the directory and not the file itself. Try removing the read only attribute from the directory the file resides in as well.

If that doesnt work, drop to dos, start/run/cmd or start/run/command (depending on your OS) and try the following examples :

for the file itself :

attrib -r C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\My Documents\Downloaded video\My movieDvD.XvID-LRC+

for the directory

attrib -r C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\My Documents\Downloaded video

Hope this helps,

Sabro

[JEEPn]

it's refreshing to see that someone still knows DOS command

[Sabro]

it's refreshing to see that someone still knows DOS command

Yeah, considering I forgot to mention the fact that in some cases you might need to modify the directory structure to comply with the 8.3 naming convention if your on an older OS, but that doesn't appear to be the case here

Sabro

[newbie2005]

Thanks for the prompt reply

I think I forgot to mention that I am a complete idiot when it comes to computers so if you could please explain to me in detail how to remove the read-only from the directory that you be great

Thanks again
newbie2005

ps I am running Windows XP if that helps

[Sabro]

Just go in to Windows Explorer, and on the left hand side will be the directories.

Go to My Computer, C:, then drill down till you get to the Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\My Documents\Downloaded directory.

With it selected, right click and choose properties, basically like you did for the file, but you are selecting the directory on the left side.

Or you can use the dos command from up above to do the same thing.

Sabro

[sanjayk]

Change the attribute of the directoyr (folder) instead of file. When asked for confirmation, select the option as shown below.


This should solve your problem.

[newbie2005]

Ok so I don't think that you realize just how stupid I am
I cannot figure this out, I did get into dos and this is what I got

icrosoft(R) Windows DOS
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001.

C:\DOCUME~1\COMPAQ~1>attrib -r C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\My Documen
ts\Downloaded video
Parameter format not correct -

C:\DOCUME~1\COMPAQ~1>

I also tried to change just the file and I did select apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files but still when I go back into the file it has read-only selected

Thanks again
newbie2005

[gadgetguy]

You may need to have Administrator rights or be logged in as the Administrator to change the file attributes.

[SLK001]

A READ-ONLY attribute doesn't prevent copying of files, but copying with the same name also brings the attributes.

You need to try your PROPERTIES trick "up the chain" and turn the RO flag off on the parent directory. If that doesn't work, then create a whole new directory and drag the files there. THEN reset the attribute.

[newbie2005]

I really appreciate all your help but I need someone to tell me how to do this step by step and in layman's terms

I don't know what administrator rights are

I don't know what a RO flag is let alone how to turn off in parent directory

How do you create new directory

Please I am frustrated, confused and very stupid

Thanks again for all your input

[SLK001]

Well, maybe you should then consider basket weaving as a hobby. If you simply copy the files somewhere else, you will have ALL THE RIGHTS to them.

The RO flay is short for "Read Only". Sorry, but I thought that this was obvious.

Don't know how to create a directory? Bust the seal on your XP manuals and peruse them at your leisure. Sometimes there's really good info in them.

[johns0]

Goto start menu\my computer\local disk c:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\My Documents\Downloaded video\My movieDvD.XvID-LRC+ then right click on folder and choose properties and uncheck read-only and click on apply changes to this folder,subfolders and files.

[newbie2005]

Well, maybe you should then consider basket weaving as a hobby. If you simply copy the files somewhere else, you will have ALL THE RIGHTS to them.

The RO flay is short for "Read Only". Sorry, but I thought that this was obvious.

Don't know how to create a directory? Bust the seal on your XP manuals and peruse them at your leisure. Sometimes there's really good info in them.

Well thanks SLK001 - how kind of you to insult me like that..... I really appreciate it.......I thought this forum was for 'Newbie conversation'. I'm sorry I didn't catch the whole 'RO' thing.....If you can't appreciate the fact that not all people are a smart as you why do you even bother to answer questions.....Perhaps this type of behaviour makes you feel like a better person.....I noticed that no one else who has replied has seen fit to be rude and insulting


Anyway if there is anyone out there besides our 'Highness" SLK001 who could maybe help me it really would be much appreciated.

This is what I have tried:

Gone into my video file, in properties and unset the read-only attribute, selected to change file and all subfolders etc. but when I go back into the file to check that the change stuck it is always back to read-only status

I have also tried to do this for the Downloaded video directory as per instructions above but nothing seems to work

I tried to copy the file to another location and it still comes up with the read-only and I can't change it

I also tried the dos method as suggested but I just get the same error message (see previous message)


Thanks again for any help I you can give

newbie2005

[bunyip]

If windows won't unset the attribute it may mean that something still has a hold of the file - you could try a re-boot of the PC to see if it is released.

But before you do - try the DOS method once again. You are getting the DOS error because DOS uses spaces as the command line delimiter so it treats every word as a parameter, you need to enclose the whole file path\name in quotes so try ..

attrib -r "C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\My Documents\Downloaded video\My movieDvD.XvID-LRC+"

making sure you include the quotes.

[newbie2005]

Thanks 'bunyip' I did go back into dos and tried again with the quotes and this is what happened:

Microsoft(R) Windows DOS
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001.

C:\DOCUME~1\COMPAQ~1>attrib -r "C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\My Docume
nts\Downloaded video\My movieDvD.XvID-LRC+"

C:\DOCUME~1\COMPAQ~1>

I didn't get an error message this time but it still says read-only when I go into the file and will not allow me to change???

Maybe there is another step I am missing?

Thanks
newbie2005

[bunyip]

No, it sounds like you have tried all the right things.
I do recall having a similar problem with a file some time ago, and I fixed it by actually re-setting the attribute and then un-setting it, appears that the attributes were not strictly true.

This may not work for you but give it a try, run the DOS command again but this time use '+r' instead of '-r'.
Then run it once more using '-r'.

Worth a try.

Also run it a third time but leave out the '-r', this will tell you what the attributes really are for the file.

[newbie2005]

No, it sounds like you have tried all the right things.
I do recall having a similar problem with a file some time ago, and I fixed it by actually re-setting the attribute and then un-setting it, appears that the attributes were not strictly true.

This may not work for you but give it a try, run the DOS command again but this time use '+r' instead of '-r'.
Then run it once more using '-r'.

Worth a try.

Also run it a third time but leave out the '-r', this will tell you what the attributes really are for the file.

Thanks, bunyip I will try this and post my results but it may not be for a day or two as I will be away for the weekend

Thanks again
newbie2005

[sanjayk]

Besides all that you are trying, do a virus scan also. Just in case ??

[SLK001]

Well thanks SLK001 - how kind of you to insult me like that..... I really appreciate it.......I thought this forum was for 'Newbie conversation'. I'm sorry I didn't catch the whole 'RO' thing.....If you can't appreciate the fact that not all people are a smart as you why do you even bother to answer questions.....Perhaps this type of behaviour makes you feel like a better person.....I noticed that no one else who has replied has seen fit to be rude and insulting

Insult you? Not really - just with your obvious lack of basic computer knowledge, I was suggesting maybe an easier hobby for you to grasp. Anyway, it was YOU who insulted you (RE: "I am a complete idiot..." and "I don't think that you realize just how stupid I am..." and "I am frustrated, confused and very stupid...", etc.).

And you are correct - this forum is for "Video - Neebie Discussions". But, alas, it is NOT the "Computers - Teach-Me-To-Use" forum, or the "Computers - Please-Hold-My-Hand" forum. You don't know what Administrator rights are. You don't know how to create a directory. You don't know how to change file attributes. These are all basic OPERATING SYSTEM skills. If you don't know how to do these simple task, how ever are go going to video? Well, you're going to use a "Do-it-all software package" - and that's fine with me, 'cause who am I to say what you do with your time. But then, when it didn't work, you come crying to this forum crying, "It doesn't work, what do I do?"

Even so, I still told you what you needed to do - twice. But you feel insulted, and for that I apologize (even though I didn't really insult you).