Changing file attributes on drive c:

[jackmccarron]

Yesterday I installed the latest version of Zonealarm and had a terrible series of crashes. Finally, by renaming all the executables within the ZA folder, got the system to boot properly.

Now trying to uninstall ZA. Can't because whole ZA folder is "read only" won't let me uninstall. Then found that not only is ZA folder read only, but Program Files folder and ALL other folders in drive c: That is, all folders, etc, in drive C are inheriting the read only attribute from above.

This is a toshiba laptop, window XP, SP3 up to date. I'm using an admin account.

Going to C;/properties/security tab, setting admin to full control and users to modify/write, and checking boxes for "replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects" does NOT change the read only status on all the contents of c drive.

What should I do next??

Thanks,
Jack

[Taxmancometh]

Are you in a admin account when you try to remove ZA?

Don't think it's due to the read only attribute.

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[jackmccarron]

Thanks, Taxman! The problem has gotten even worse. I continued playing with the permission settings on the c drive - and tried a reboot to see if that would help to straighten out the read only status of all the c drive folders and files.

Instead, the computer would not even restart. It's now in a reboot loop showing "autochk program not found - skipping auto check" right after the windows startup screen. Then starting the reboot again, and again, and again. Not even safe mode will boot.

Clearly I have to solve this issue before I can return to the attributes issue. I've read a number of forums on this problem and need to follow up on them. First I think I have to make a DOS boot disk so I can get at my files.

Thanks again for your assistance. I'll get back to your suggestions once I can boot my machine.

Jack