command line help please

seanogal

I am trying to change the -read only- attribute on a file called "Sony Ericsson."I want to delete the file after removing the attribute.The file is in program files on the c drive.I get a message that the parameters are wrong.I am new to this and am obviously missing something.I would be grateful if someone could post up the exact command.What key or combination do you use for minus?
Thanks.
ps using xp home ed

Hagar

DOS doesn't support long file names so type dir followed bt enetr/return

Identify the file from the list displayed , the name will be something like sonyer~1.dat

Then try attrib sonyer~1.dat +rw

MunsterCycling

seanogal wrote:

I am trying to change the -read only- attribute on a file called "Sony Ericsson."I want to delete the file after removing the attribute.The file is in program files on the c drive.I get a message that the parameters are wrong.I am new to this and am obviously missing something.I would be grateful if someone could post up the exact command.What key or combination do you use for minus?
Thanks.

The command is:

attrib

C:\>attrib /?
Displays or changes file attributes.

ATTRIB [+R | -R] [+A | -A ] [+S | -S] [+H | -H] [drive:][path][filename]
[/S [/D]]

+ Sets an attribute.
- Clears an attribute.
R Read-only file attribute.
A Archive file attribute.
S System file attribute.
H Hidden file attribute.
[drive:][path][filename]
Specifies a file or files for attrib to process.
/S Processes matching files in the current folder
and all subfolders.
/D Processes folders as well.


C:\>attrib -R {filename.ext}

MunsterCycling

Hagar wrote:

DOS doesn't support long file names so type dir followed bt enetr/return

Identify the file from the list displayed , the name wilL be something like sonyer~1.dat

Then try attrib sonyer~1.dat +rw

True DOS doesn't support it but WinXP version will, try it.

Hagar

I stand corrected. I was thinking of standard DOS 6.22 (if there is such a thing as standard)

MunsterCycling

:rolleyes: Ahhh those were the days.... The version in XP is a version of ProDOS 7 I think.

Hagar

I remember DR-DOS when he was only a medical student


* Digital Research

MunsterCycling

OK you got me there...

seanogal

MunsterCycling wrote:

The command is:

attrib

C:\>attrib /?
Displays or changes file attributes.

ATTRIB [+R | -R] [+A | -A ] [+S | -S] [+H | -H] [drive:][path][filename]
[/S [/D]]

+ Sets an attribute.
- Clears an attribute.
R Read-only file attribute.
A Archive file attribute.
S System file attribute.
H Hidden file attribute.
[drive:][path][filename]
Specifies a file or files for attrib to process.
/S Processes matching files in the current folder
and all subfolders.
/D Processes folders as well.


C:\>attrib -R {filename.ext}

Thanks for replies.Tried the above but got same message about parameters.

Hobart

Browse to the directory of the file in windows explorer. Once in the directory, right click on the file and click on properties. Under General you should get an option which displays the attributes of the file (i.e. Read Only or Hidden). Untick the Read Only tab. You should be able to delete it then.

seanogal

Hobart wrote:

Browse to the directory of the file in windows explorer. Once in the directory, right click on the file and click on properties. Under General you should get an option which displays the attributes of the file (i.e. Read Only or Hidden). Untick the Read Only tab. You should be able to delete it then.

Went to my computer-c drive-program files-sony ericsson,alternate click-properties and unticked read only.I presume this is what you said.When you go back to it,the read only box is ticked.It seems to untick it but doesnt change the setting.

Karoma

seanogal: What is the core issue? Is it that the file cannot be deleted?

If so, chances are that the file is in use.
Quick way: Boot into Safe Mode (Tap F8 repeatedly on boot), navigate to file, delete (Using explorer.exe).
Alternatively: Start -> run -> msconfig --> services (tick hide MS services) & startup items - identify the SE software and untick -> this prevents from it starting automatically when Windows boots. Then reboot and delete the file.

If it is just 'DOS' syntax: Just use the first 4/5 char's (Unique) and use wildcard *...
attrib -R file*.ext

seanogal

Karoma wrote:

seanogal: What is the core issue? Is it that the file cannot be deleted?

If so, chances are that the file is in use.
Quick way: Boot into Safe Mode (Tap F8 repeatedly on boot), navigate to file, delete (Using explorer.exe).
Alternatively: Start -> run -> msconfig --> services (tick hide MS services) & startup items - identify the SE software and untick -> this prevents from it starting automatically when Windows boots. Then reboot and delete the file.

If it is just 'DOS' syntax: Just use the first 4/5 char's (Unique) and use wildcard *...
attrib -R file*.ext

File cannot be deleted while it has the read only attribute.

Karoma

attrib -R ..., in safe mode + del ...and it still won't let you?

seanogal

Will try safe mode now.Thanks.

seanogal

Went into safe mode and deleted sony ericsson from program files.Emptied recycle bin also.Did a search and nothing was found.Yet when I go into control panel,add and remove programmes,sony ericsson is still listed in the programmes.When I click on remove,it goes so far and then the system stops and goes no further.Cntrl-alt del brings up, "add and remove programmes is not responding.Now I really cant figure out whats going on.

Karoma

seanogal wrote:

Went into safe mode and deleted sony ericsson from program files.Emptied recycle bin also.Did a search and nothing was found.Yet when I go into control panel,add and remove programmes,sony ericsson is still listed in the programmes.When I click on remove,it goes so far and then the system stops and goes no further.Cntrl-alt del brings up, "add and remove programmes is not responding.Now I really cant figure out whats going on.

There may (And in this case,are...) be entries in the Windows Registry relating to the removed software.
You could go through the Registry and remove them. You could get software to automate the process for you.
However, I recommend just ignoring it. As long as it's not loading when Windows does, and not taking up much space on the HDD - it's not really a problem. [If you insist on editing the Registry, make a backup of the Registry / Creat a System Restore point or Ghost your machinr prior to editing as a precaution.]

In future, use the accompanying uninstall method (.exe). If you encounter problems removing specific components (As they may be in use), then try removing the software whilst in Safe Mode.

seanogal

Thanks for your assistance Karoma.