ie8 error: Location is not available Message C:\ is not accessible Access is denied

1.Problem Started 2 weeks ago. Not sure if this is related --around that time I tried to add E-texteditor and didn't realize I need to install cygwin. I stopped installing and removed cygwin.

PROBLEM:
When downloading a file (For example -- a kindle file .azw or an .exe.) using IE* 32-bit , window pops up to RUN or SAVE.
Then it starts to download but won't SAVE. The error message window opens. Location is not available. Message C:\ is not accessible. Access is denied.

BUT

So far I've tested downloading other files. Success saving a .pdf.


System win7 pro 64-bit
4/2010 a new dell
McAfee was install but I removed it and cleaned registry before installing NIS and webroot spysweeper. Spysweeper is no longer installed.

Running Norton Internet Security. Defender is off.

I spent over an hour with microsoft on remote access and the Tech suggestion was to transfer Effected USER files to NEW user since he thought the user settings were compromised. What a pain

What I know--
I did create TEST USER
and IE8 32-bit worked, so I'm assuming that the Effected USER appdata is corrupt. The Effected user has 'Full control'
Firefox, chrome and 64-bit IE8 work fine. and download and save files. I've changed my default browser to Firefox but this is frustrating. I usually use chrome or firefox but must use IE8 for certain sites.

What I did--

I ran ie8-rereg.32on64 etc . Just in case.

Even went back to a restore pt created before problem. Made no difference.

no luck
So...

I went to socialanswers microsoft before coming to majorgeeks. One of the gurus had me run thru cleaning mcAfee using McAfee removal tool, uninstalling Norton with removal tool,reinstalling Norton and resetting IE advanced settings and windows update settings. Many reboots.

His conclusion is that I've been hijackware infection and suggests a clean install of my system.

So just ran malwarebytes -- it's conclusion - system clean.
Ran Spybot - removed cookies in firefox and chrome. none in IE8 since I stopped using for now. No warnings in NIS.

Any suggestions before I create new user and transfer files etc.?

thanks in advance
Lynn

 

Re: ie8 error: Location is not available Message C:\ is not accessible Access is den

I have the exact same problem, funny I just installed e-texteditor as well?

If I create a new user account it works well again, I have tried restoring everything I know.

 

Re: ie8 error: Location is not available Message C:\ is not accessible Access is den

Out of curiousity I created a new clean account, and all I did was to install e-texteditor, the errors occurs on the first exe file I try to download...

Now what is happening I wonder..

 

Re: ie8 error: Location is not available Message C:\ is not accessible Access is den

Actually it doesn't appear after installing e-texteditor, it appears as soon as you let e-texteditor run the setup program for cygwin. Which creates a few setup logfiles on your desktop. After that, even the only thing you do is to cancel the cygwin setup right away (after accepting the elevation) you have the problem in IE.

Will keep digging.

 

Re: ie8 error: Location is not available Message C:\ is not accessible Access is den

Allright I have found what is causing this, but I don't understand why it only effects the current user, some cygwin magic I suppose.

Anyhow, look in the file

"C:\Program Files (x86)\e\Support\bin\cygwin-post-install.sh"

In there you will find a row like this

chmod o-w `cygpath $HOMEDRIVE`

For some very odd reason e-texteditor hooks the cygwin setup, which also explains why the cygwin setup program complains about being old, e-texteditor keeps its own copy for no apparent reason in this folder too. Even if you cancel the setup e.exe runs the cygwin-post-install.sh

01:01:03,1889690 e.exe 4612 Process Create
e:\progs\lprogs\cygwin\bin\bash.exe SUCCESS PID: 5488,
Command line:
"e:\progs\lprogs\cygwin\bin\bash" --login "C:\Program Files (x86)\e\Support\bin\cygwin-post-install.sh"

as can be seen above from a procmon event.

So if you comment the above chmod line out of that script, everything will work fine.

Question is what that line is meant to do??

And why it only effects the user as long as you don't delete its profile and recreate it. But I guess that is some cygwin magic that I will have to figure out as well. I didn't see any filter driver installed on my system so I don't know how cygwin can intercept the acceses IE does.

The funny thing is, it won't help to issue the opposite

chmod o+w `cygpath $HOMEDRIVE`

To correct the problem.

If anyone knows how cygwin does that then we can "fix" or at least revert the damage.

 

Re: ie8 error: Location is not available Message C:\ is not accessible Access is den

Ok, I found the "problem".

Luckily for us Windows 7 has UAC which virtualises file accesses, otherwise the chmod line might have rendered the entire system unusable.

Go to

C:\Users\test\AppData\Local\VirtualStore

You need to set explorer to not hide anything.

Check the security permissions, it will complain that alot is wrong and eventually you will get to edit it. Add full access to your own uses and click apply and then reopen the dialog.

The correct ACL I think is full access for

administrators
SYSTEM
<your>

Once that is set you will be able to use IE again....

 

Re: ie8 error: Location is not available Message C:\ is not accessible Access is den

Thanks. I haven't checked this thread for awhile. So it was cygwin. Hmmm. Not hijacked at all. Glad you came up with a solution. Since quicken used IE, quicken stopped being able to paste from the clipboard. Intuit had no clue what was going on and gave me a free upgrade. All is well now.

 

Re: ie8 error: Location is not available Message C:\ is not accessible Access is den

It wasn't really cygwin at all, it was how e-texteditor hook cygwin into doing something which I don't even understand why they are doing.