Odd XP problem --- Can't rename or move files, can delete and install programs

[ah...@no-spam-panix.com]

Win XP Pro, Dell Latitude 830.

On my daughter's computer all files cannot be renamed or moved
(including moving to the recycle bin). They can be permanently
deleted (shift-delete).

I checked the permissions and those are OK. I even deleted them
and re-added them with full permission.

I ran spinrite in mode 2 on the whole disk, mode 4 on 60% ( I will
do the last 40% tomorrow).

I ran chkdsk and will run sfc later.

I unindexed the hard drive, and toggled simple file sharing (ideas
found from Google).

It allows installing new software, but that is not a move
or rename...

Any other ideas short of a reinstall?

Baffled....


--
Andrew Hall
(Now reading Usenet in alt.windows-xp...)

[Nil]

On 26 May 2012, <ah...@no-spam-panix.com> wrote in alt.windows-xp:

> Any other ideas short of a reinstall?
>
> Baffled....

I really can't imagine what might cause this, but I somehow expect a
Windows Explorer problem, rather than a systemic Windows problem
(although Explorer is so tightly integrated with the OS that it might
as well be.) Can I assume you've rebooted the computer? Can you rename
and move files from the command line?

[Auric__]

...and/or using an alternate file manager?

--
You have to speak up. I'm choking you!

[John Williamson]

If the file system isn't encrypted, it might be worth renaming the SAM
file (That's the file that holds the security info for XP) using a Live CD.

You'll find it here:-

%SystemRoot%\system32\config\SAM

No Windows operations can touch it, but some Linux tools will. If you
delete it, you will disable all security on your system.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

[ah...@no-spam-panix.com]

Does Windows recreate the file if it is renamed?

[John Williamson]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316751

Tells you what happens and how to fix it.

Instructions on how to delete it here:-

http://www.computing.net/answers/linux/delete-sam-fileknoppix/29813.html

Copy it under a different name first, just in case it doesn't solve your
problem.