First time Vista user, issues with Security

SquareWheel · 03-16-2008, 04:40 PM

Hello there. I've come to this forum a few times when in need of help, but finally decided to make an account.

So anyway, I just bought this computer, and it is a beauty except for the fact that all the permissions seem to be messed up.

The first thing I did was disable the UAC setting mostly because it annoyed me so much, but I reenabled it after seeing some pages on the web recommending it.

Later I was moving some files in Program Files, when suddenly it told me I didn't have access. I'm the Admin, but apparently this is a common mistake. So I followed some web advice and tried setting the permissions, but I don't have permission to set the permissions. :/ Actually, most files were changed except for a few random folders, and every file in my Virus Protection (BitDefender) folder.

So I made the actual Admin account visible (not too sure what that's about) and tried changing the permissions, but I don't have permission on the Admin account either!

Basically, I have a computer with random files with only read but not write enabled, and even the Admin seems to have no control of them. Any suggestions? :)

SquareWheel · 03-17-2008, 11:41 PM

Sorry for the second post, but I can't seem to find the Edit button.

I've tried everything I could think of an nothing seems to let me change those few random files with locked access. Is it possible a virus is doing this?

I'm just trying to move a file into a directory in my Program Files, but it's always locked. I tried taking ownership, but ran into a problem again with those few random files.

Am I going to need to reformat my PC to get this fixed, or is there a simpler way? Reformatting would really be a pain as I just transfered all my files to this PC, and HP never even sent me a Windows CD.

Help please?

**Placehold** · 03-19-2008, 10:02 AM

Right click on the folder and run as administartor

or

open command prompt as admin and type
net user administrator /active:yes

Reboot and access the new administrators account and see if you can gain access to those folder

If all else fails install Take Ownership

After you install it

Right click the folder and select Take ownership and you should be able to access the folder

If you want to get rid of this function run the Uninstaller

Craig

SquareWheel · 03-19-2008, 05:55 PM

Oh thank you for the reply. I seem to really be in trouble here.

Now, I'm pretty sure I was running as Admin, although I still get a permission denied error. I have used the Admin account aswell, and only get errors when trying to set permissions or take ownership. I will try that file now though.

edit: Oh I see, it let's me take ownership, but it still gives me an error when trying to modify the folder in any way. Do I need to give more information?

**warlordfmike** · 03-19-2008, 08:11 PM

Control Panel\User Accounts and Family Safety\User Accounts

and turn off the user accounts control off

and see if ur able to it then

SquareWheel · 03-20-2008, 02:15 AM

As I've already said, I have tried turning off UAC, but thank you for your help anyway.

03-16-2008, 04:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
SquareWheel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (32 Bit)	First time Vista user, issues with Security Hello there. I've come to this forum a few times when in need of help, but finally decided to make an account. So anyway, I just bought this computer, and it is a beauty except for the fact that all the permissions seem to be messed up. The first thing I did was disable the UAC setting mostly because it annoyed me so much, but I reenabled it after seeing some pages on the web recommending it. Later I was moving some files in Program Files, when suddenly it told me I didn't have access. I'm the Admin, but apparently this is a common mistake. So I followed some web advice and tried setting the permissions, but I don't have permission to set the permissions. :/ Actually, most files were changed except for a few random folders, and every file in my Virus Protection (BitDefender) folder. So I made the actual Admin account visible (not too sure what that's about) and tried changing the permissions, but I don't have permission on the Admin account either! Basically, I have a computer with random files with only read but not write enabled, and even the Admin seems to have no control of them. Any suggestions? :)

03-17-2008, 11:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
SquareWheel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (32 Bit)	Re: First time Vista user, issues with Security Sorry for the second post, but I can't seem to find the Edit button. I've tried everything I could think of an nothing seems to let me change those few random files with locked access. Is it possible a virus is doing this? I'm just trying to move a file into a directory in my Program Files, but it's always locked. I tried taking ownership, but ran into a problem again with those few random files. Am I going to need to reformat my PC to get this fixed, or is there a simpler way? Reformatting would really be a pain as I just transfered all my files to this PC, and HP never even sent me a Windows CD. Help please?

03-19-2008, 10:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Placehold Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 847 OS: Vista home Premium My System	Re: First time Vista user, issues with Security Right click on the folder and run as administartor or open command prompt as admin and type net user administrator /active:yes Reboot and access the new administrators account and see if you can gain access to those folder If all else fails install Take Ownership After you install it Right click the folder and select Take ownership and you should be able to access the folder If you want to get rid of this function run the Uninstaller Craig

03-19-2008, 05:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
SquareWheel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (32 Bit)	Re: First time Vista user, issues with Security Oh thank you for the reply. I seem to really be in trouble here. Now, I'm pretty sure I was running as Admin, although I still get a permission denied error. I have used the Admin account aswell, and only get errors when trying to set permissions or take ownership. I will try that file now though. edit: Oh I see, it let's me take ownership, but it still gives me an error when trying to modify the folder in any way. Do I need to give more information? Last edited by SquareWheel : 03-19-2008 at 05:58 PM.

03-19-2008, 08:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
warlordfmike TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: huntington tx east texas Posts: 634 OS: microsoft® Vista home Basic™ Sp1 My System	Re: First time Vista user, issues with Security Control Panel\User Accounts and Family Safety\User Accounts and turn off the user accounts control off and see if ur able to it then __________________ "im a dude that lives in the middle of nowhere. i live on a road that the address has fm in it. the fm means FROM somewhere to the MIDDLE of nowhere lolololol" Warlordfmike of TSF SensorsView . WinRaR . Belarc . Windows Performance Tool . Belarc Advisor . DriverMax . Advanced Task Manager . Driver Detective

03-20-2008, 02:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
SquareWheel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (32 Bit)	Re: First time Vista user, issues with Security As I've already said, I have tried turning off UAC, but thank you for your help anyway.