13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

How To Edit Or Delete A "Read Only" CD File

by TonyV
9 replies
Hey all,

Not sure if this was the best place to post but here goes. I have a software program and I want to delete a folder on it. Since it's a manufacturers cd the files within that folder are "read only". Does anyone know how to edit the files so I can delete them? Maybe software that does that?

I tried the simple method of right clicking and going to properties but that didn't work. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
#delete #edit #file #read only
  • Profile picture of the author Marc Quarles
    Files burned on a manufactured CD can't be deleted - they are permanently burned onto the surface of the disc.

    You could copy all the files onto your hard drive, delete the folder(s) in question, and then burn the results onto a new CD, but that's about it.

    Respectfully,
    Marc
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2392862].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author terrapurus
    I take it you have installed the software on to your computer? If not, look at Marc's answer above. If yes, Google you operating system name together with 'folder permissions'.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2393527].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TonyV
      Thanks for your replies guys.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2394572].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pr456
    Banned
    can't be deleted - they are burned onto the surface of the disc.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2397491].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author awesometbn
    Originally Posted by TonyV View Post

    I have a software program and I want to delete a folder on it. Since it's a manufacturers cd the files within that folder are "read only". Does anyone know how to edit the files so I can delete them? Maybe software that does that?
    Not possible with CD-ROM but if you are working from a copy of the files on your hard drive, you can go to the command line and use the attrib command to remove the read-only status. Type attrib /? to see options available, works for files and folders.

    Code:
    C: attrib -R filename
C: attrib -R /D foldername
    Please let me know if this helps. Thank you.
    Signature
    Exciting comment opportunities on my WF blog: (1) Better money with better marketing (2) Forming strong customer bonds (3) Earn more money with DB marketing (4) Building a revenue and profit model
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2404271].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TonyV
    Hey Awesometbn,

    I know jack **** about programming. I'll be happy to try this code but need a little more of an explanation. Where do I enter the code, CMD and then enter it after I get a prompt?

    Also, If the file name was traction and my dvd drive was the F drive, would the code look like this?

    C: attrib -R /F traction

    Hate to be a pain in the ass but maybe knowing the file name and the fact my dvd drive is the F drive, maybe you can show me what the code entry would look like?

    Appreciate it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2404341].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author awesometbn
      Originally Posted by TonyV View Post

      Where do I enter the code, CMD and then enter it after I get a prompt?
      Yes. I was assuming it was a Windows machine. Start menu, run, enter CMD, and once the command line prompt appears you can type attrib /? to see the quick help description.

      Originally Posted by TonyV View Post

      Also, If the file name was traction and my dvd drive was the F drive, would the code look like this?

      C: attrib -R /F traction
      Almost. No need for /F option. If the filename was traction.exe you might need the entire filename and suffix. And the DVD drive won't work. If you were working from a copy of the DVD on your hard drive, you could use the attrib command to remove any lingering read-only status from files and folders. The command would look like this,

      attrib -R traction.exe

      This works from the command line in the same directory as the file traction.exe. Not your F drive but your hard drive, perhaps your C drive, if you're working from a copy of the DVD.
      Signature
      Exciting comment opportunities on my WF blog: (1) Better money with better marketing (2) Forming strong customer bonds (3) Earn more money with DB marketing (4) Building a revenue and profit model
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2404413].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KirkMcD
    One more time: You can't delete/edit a file on a CD or DVD.

    What everyone was trying to point out to you was, if you copied the file from the CD to your computers hard drive, it will be marked as Read Only on your Hard Drie. If your problem was that you wanted to delete or edit this copied version of the file you will need to change its attributes to remove the Read Only flag.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2404384].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author harris2107
    If you are trying to delete folder from your CD, then it is next to impossible, you cant do this but if you want to delete from your hard disk then you can do it easily.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2424771].message }}

Trending Topics