Files copied from CDR are read-only.

[qball]

Classic problem.

Try saving a file to a CD (not burning). It won't work as CDs are ROM (READ-ONLY memory). Look at any file on a CD, they are all Read-Only.

When one copies a file, the file attributes are part of that file. One of the attributes is the Read-Only property.

The only way to get around this is to copy the files from CD, highlight all at their destination and right click, unchecking the Read-Only attribute. There is now way around this other than writing batch file or program to copy and reset the read-only attribute (this is non trivial, as you need to set the attribute for only the files you copy, good exercise, though).

Another interesting thing about CDs is they do not contain any root directory designations. Dir a directory in a DOS box on your HD. Notice there are two entries (".", "..") with a <dir> designation. Dir the root directory on the CD and they don't exist. Note CDRs/CDRWs, may or may not have these entries dependent upon the settings.

[This message has been edited by qball (edited 01-09-2001).]

[darrelld]

When I need to restore a significant number of files from a backup cd I use a freeware program called Attribute changer. It lets you change the attributes of a folder and all subfolders and files in one action.

[NDC]

yeah, Qball is right! Any data you burn to CDR or CDRW will have an attribute of read-only data. One way you can avoid this is to use Direct CD or Packet Writer when copying files to a CDRW.

Here's what I do after I copy the read-onlt data back to my HDD:

1) Copy the data to your hard disk.

2) Go onto the main directory where all the sub-directories reside.

3) type: attrib +a -r -h /s


EDIT- Ooops, forgot to tell you to do this in DOS. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 01-09-2001).]

[Barney]

I always do this in DOS.Make sure windows\command is set in your path list in the autoexec.bat.

Now you can open a DOS box,go to the directory you have placed the files from the cd and type "attrib -r" (without the quotes).Had to use this a lot years ago when you had to copy shareware games from the cd to the harddrive.

Ronald

[krusty]

If you zip them into one zip file before you burn you can avoid the problem though it is a bit difficult when doing a major backup.

[creifle]

I've not seen this problem addressed. When I copy files from my burned CDR's, the files copy to my harddisk with "read only" attribute; all files, all directories. I just wiped, partitioned, and reformatted my hard disk and reinstalled Win98SE along with everything else. Does anyone know why the files copy as read only and how can I get them to quit?
thanks

[creifle]

Thank you Darrelld. I like fix-it share/free-ware.
NDC: I didn't know attrib had an "s" switch. Doh!!
Thanks to all. Since most of my copies to HDD are only to one drive, the attrib will be easy to bat file.
thanks

[NDC]

the /s will change all the attributes for the sub-directories. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif When you don't add the /s, it will just change the attribute for the current directory, not the sub-directories.