Can't write to Program Files directory

5starpool

I have a program files directory on my e:\ that I use to install most of my applications to as it is much larger than my c:\ partition.

However I cannot write or delete anything from this folder now, and I cannot open up applications I have been using for ages either, and this is how I noticed it. I have scanned my machine using Panda Titanium 2007, Adaware and AVG anti spyware, and nothing suspect shows up but I presume it is something malicious.

Has anyone got any ideas? It is only this directory that is giving me trouble and today is the first time this has shown up. I am logged in as the same profile I always use.

Win 2000 machine.

I have a hijcakthis log if anyone is sufficiently skilled to decode properly. From my limited experience of using hijack this everything look ok.

ressem

More suited to the windows forum probably.

Are you logged in as an administrator? Has the computer been connected to a windows domain?

1 Can you write and execute from the root of the e: drive?
2 Can you write, say a text file, to the root of the E:\program files directory?

If yes to 1 and no to 2, then have you checked the folders properties menu, security tab?


Are the checkboxes, that state which properties belong to which users, greyed out? (Indicates whether the permissions are inherited from the drive's permission set)
Are the permissions for the computername\administrators group set to "full control" as they are by default?

If you click the "Advanced" button,
at the bottom of the dialog, it says
"inherit from parent the permission entries that apply to child objects". Is there a check in this box.

Select the owner tab. Who is listed as the owner of the folder?

5starpool

Yep, I have checked all that, it is not a permissions thing. I am a more than proficient pc user, but this is frustrating me big time.

ecksor

Can you please verify that E: is not a CD drive?

Honestly though, I think you might get better advice in the Windows forum. I can move this there with a redirect if you want.

5starpool

Ya that'd be cool ecksor, despite the smart ass bit

It is stopping me playing on PokerStars so this is of critical importance.

Edit: I copied files from it and i allows me to play on Stars which is good, but it is still annoying me.

5starpool

I'm glad this was moved here

Anyone at all got any ideas?

ntlbell

Is it FAT32 or NTFS?

If NTFS can you boot up of an NTFS DOS disk and access the folder from DOS?

If you create a new user pop them into the admin group can you access it?

What's the error dom? "Access Denied" or?
Can you access all other folders in the root of E:\ ?

More info Dom

Any reads:D

Capt'n Midnight

Does it happen in safe mode ?
have you taken ownership of the folder
have you messed around with "program files" in the registry or the environmental variable ?

how much free space in on E: ?

5starpool

It is an NTFS partition. I can do anything I want to any other folders on my E:\. If I boot up in safe mode I can add or delete to my hearts content in there. I did this and uninstalled some programs from there in safe mode that weren't working and reinstalled them elsewhere. The error is just the bog standard 'Access Denied' jobby. The currently logged in user is the owner of the folder.

While in safe mode I renamed the folder and restarted as normal. It seemed ok, but then I noticed my internet connection was gone (probably a simple explanation for that, but I didn't pursue it). Also it would not let me rename the changed folder to the old name again. I could edit things in normal mode once the folder name was changed. It also would not let me create a new e:\Program Files directory. I went back in and changed it back to the old name under safe mode and have been just learning to live with it since as once I could install the programs I was having problems with elsewhere it is more of an annoyance than anything now, as well as the niggling doubt as to what else might have happened that I didn't notice.

Would there be any registry entries that might be controlling this? I tried to have a look but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack unless you know exactly what to look for, and I have not changed any settings in there.

Appreciate the replies lads.

uch

Are you using same account in Safe mode as normal boot ??
Sounds like corrupt profile, logon as different admin user, rename profile you normally use (i.e. administrator => administrator.old) then log back on with usual account and copy files and settings from renamed account back into new profile.

5starpool

I am using same profile under safe mode, yes. I will try that anyhow.

5starpool

Hmmm, for some reason this is ok now. Damn computers.