oops, I changed my file attributes

This is not a major issue as my computer is still functioning but I keep getting annoying warnings popping up - so I'll go through exactly what I did.

I was working on an MS Word attachment in Outlook Express which I had received from someone else. I saved it as usual and, when I finished, printed out the document and quit the file. Then I realised that I hadn't saved it in my normal data folder but rather in the temporary Outlook Express Documents & Settings default folder. I then tried to find it again but couldn't find the Local Settings folder which it should have been in. And this is where I started fiddling about and caused my problem.

I found the C:\Documents & settings\Administrator folder and, using the View, Customize this Folder, changed the attributes to hidden, thinking that this would unhide the Local settings folder. This seemed to work, although I still couldn't find the saved file. I then thought I should change the attribute back but, when I tried the "Hidden" box was unchecked which didn't make sense as I knew I had checked it.

Of course, I then fiddled some more, changing the attributes of the other folders (Documents & settings, Administrator, Local settings, Application Data etc) and probably made it worse.

I now get the following errors:-

When booting up, I get "Access tp path "C:\Documents & Settings\Administrator\Local settings\Application Data\HP\Digital Imaging\hpl_skindefV2.dat" is denied"

When browsing with Firefox, I get "Couldn't initialize the browser security component. The most likely cause is problems with files in your browser profile directory......make sure no read/write restrictions...exit browser...could cause incorrect browser behaviour."

When shutting down the computer, I get "wwdisp - file access denied" which I presume is related to Window Washer.

I tried using the XP function where you can go back to a past configuration but this didn't help.

It's pretty obvious that all this is related to the changed attributes. Hopefully there is an easy fix but I'm struggling to find it and, probably understandably, am not too keen on any more uneducated fiddling with settings.

Any help appreciated, not only to get back to the correct file attributes but also to find the saved file which I was the cause of all this.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

Couple of things.

In the folder view there is two options for hidded folders & files. Did you scroll down one or two lines?

As for the additional changes, who knows? You tried last know good configuration.

Did you try doing a system restore to a recent point?

Last know good..........would probably still use the changes you made as the pc was still OK.

You will likely be best off to backup docs & email as they will revert to an earlier stage also.

So before you try a system restore see if you can find the lost file first......otherwise....

 

In the folder view, there are 2 boxes in the attributes section - "Read only" which has a green box filled in and "Hidden" which is unchecked. What do you mean by scroll down 1 or 2 lines?

I did the system restore back to what I though was a good date, but maybe I should go back further. I'll try this again. Just reassure me though that I won't lose any recently changed/saved files.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

See the attachment for the 'hidden' things. Just to make sure we are on the same page.

Seeing as you have already tried a system restore (I thought you meant 'Last know good configuration) it seems pointless doing another one.

And yes, you will lose all file changes since the last system retore.

In the attachment........just below it there is a 'restore default'. Have you tried that?