Ok strange XP issue- modifying files

[Daff_Duck]

This is a strange one (well for me anyway) my PC which I am the admin has a problem which I dont quite understand.

If I go to %APPDATA% and try to modify say for example the Mozilla file by renaming it I get the "write protected check the disc is not full message". This is the same even if I try to create folder? The disc is no were near full by the way.


If I go in via Safe Mode then I can resolve. I am logged in as the administrator as default.So the question is why can I not mod files - I have MS Security Essentials loaded, will that be the cause?

 

[zakblood]

run system file checker with the default / f i think it is, without looking, and check for errors

as if it works in safemode and not in normal mode, looks like a system error and not a privilege error etc.

then again if i file is in use, you can't rename it anyway or alter it, but shouldn't give that error message either?

eg etc,

This behavior can occur if you do not have the permissions that are required to delete the file under the NTFS file system.

or,

Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.
However, the disk is neither full nor write-protected, and no one else is using the file.

also check to see if its marked ‘Read Only’.

this is why it wont work in normal mode but can access some of the files in safemode etc, as some protection is off in safemode, thats why you have to be more careful deleting stuff in safemode

and for the cause etc, MSE does nothing etc for protection of system files, for example, Mozilla file in question, alter it permissions by right clicking and going into properties etc will give you full access to rename / delete and move etc or modify in any way, but most of the time then the file in question or program wont work, so first the question is why do you want to mod a file?

as for most if its protected, it is for a reason, unless you want to modify it in some way, i'd leave it how it is, thats why the protection is on in the first place.

if oyu are trying to modify it, back it up first before permissions have been changed so at least you have something to go back to

 

[Daff_Duck]

Thank you for the update- the reason I want to mod it is to delete Firefox the uninstaller wont work and I tried to run the uninstaller from the C Programs but again it didnt work so I tried to do it manually via the FAQ on Mozilla's site. It suggested renaming the file but as above I couldn't- I checked the properties of the file and their was no issues with permissions but their wasn't a security tab either?

Its a Dynamic NTFS disc I will try the above and see what the problem is, I thought rightly or wrongly as I was logged in as Admin I had full permissions to rename the file