Writing to a read-only system file?
 

I recently had a machine where bootup stopped at a C prompt because of
this.

The msdos.sys file is hidden, the attribute is read-only. Yet a sound card
install apparently changed the default BootGUI setting from 1 to 0.

Changing it back restored the system.

How can any program write to a read only hidden file?

ms

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

"ms" wrote in message
...
I recently had a machine where bootup stopped at a C prompt because of
this.

The msdos.sys file is hidden, the attribute is read-only. Yet a sound card
install apparently changed the default BootGUI setting from 1 to 0.

Changing it back restored the system.

How can any program write to a read only hidden file?

ms

If I, as a developer, wanted to change a file,
I would write the code and then test it.

If, during the course of my testing, I discovered a showstopper
such as a previously unknown file attribute, I would amend
my code to resolve the issue.

Specifically, I would strip the attribute,
amend the file, and restore the attribute.

Simple, bordering upon trivial.....

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

Simple, bordering upon trivial.....


Sort of like 'simply' putting a stamp on
an envelope....... wouldnt you agree hugh?
(although, the trivial and simplest of tasks seem to
be even out of reach of certain programmers.)

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

ms wrote:
I recently had a machine where bootup stopped at a C prompt because
of this.

The msdos.sys file is hidden, the attribute is read-only. Yet a
sound card install apparently changed the default BootGUI setting
from 1 to 0.

Changing it back restored the system.

How can any program write to a read only hidden file?

It is only "hidden" from you. It is "read only" only when writing to
it via the system. One can access files totally bypassing the system.
You think viruses use the system??

One can also, as Candlin said, change the attribute, write then
reinstitute the attribute. You can do that too via Windows.

BTW, not a good idea to have hidden files.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

"dadiOH" wrote in news:#LKS5LGGHHA.1216
@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

ms wrote:
I recently had a machine where bootup stopped at a C prompt because
of this.

The msdos.sys file is hidden, the attribute is read-only. Yet a
sound card install apparently changed the default BootGUI setting
from 1 to 0.

Changing it back restored the system.

How can any program write to a read only hidden file?

It is only "hidden" from you. It is "read only" only when writing to
it via the system. One can access files totally bypassing the system.
You think viruses use the system??

One can also, as Candlin said, change the attribute, write then
reinstitute the attribute. You can do that too via Windows.

BTW, not a good idea to have hidden files.



Thanks.

I didn't think Creative Soundblaster driver software (from it's own site)
would be written to do that. Windows booting to only a DOS prompt is not
normal, and that's the change it made.

ms

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

Get OVER it mate!
"gekko" wrote in message ...

Simple, bordering upon trivial.....


Sort of like 'simply' putting a stamp on
an envelope....... wouldnt you agree hugh?
(although, the trivial and simplest of tasks seem to
be even out of reach of certain programmers.)

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

"ms" wrote in message
...
"dadiOH" wrote in news:#LKS5LGGHHA.1216
@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

ms wrote:
I recently had a machine where bootup stopped at a C prompt because
of this.

The msdos.sys file is hidden, the attribute is read-only. Yet a
sound card install apparently changed the default BootGUI setting
from 1 to 0.

Changing it back restored the system.

How can any program write to a read only hidden file?

It is only "hidden" from you. It is "read only" only when writing to
it via the system. One can access files totally bypassing the system.
You think viruses use the system??

One can also, as Candlin said, change the attribute, write then
reinstitute the attribute. You can do that too via Windows.

BTW, not a good idea to have hidden files.

Thanks.

I didn't think Creative Soundblaster driver software (from it's own site)
would be written to do that. Windows booting to only a DOS prompt is not
normal, and that's the change it made.

ms

It is entirely possible that the Creative install modified your file
to force a reboot into DOS to replace one or more DLL library files
with newer versions as part of the install, which it could not do
while Windows was running and has control of those files.

It is also possible that the developer forgot to include code
to change the attributes back again after the installation was completed.

You could email Creative Support and ask them.

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

Since now I see that you mention it was a Creative SB card, you may have come on to
an unknown fix or only a temporary fix. It may present the problem again, SB cards
installed DOS emulation drivers so that sound could be used in DOS and sometimes the
problem would happen off the bat or later down the road.

The fix/workaround for it was to disable the Creative SB 16bit emulation or
whatever it was named in Device Manager. It's not installed in Sound, video and game
controllers, it's installed as one of the devices listed at the top which I can't
recall the name at this time.

If you're not going to be using sound in DOS, disable it and be done with it.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375



"ms" wrote in message ...
"dadiOH" wrote in news:#LKS5LGGHHA.1216
@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

ms wrote:
I recently had a machine where bootup stopped at a C prompt because
of this.

The msdos.sys file is hidden, the attribute is read-only. Yet a
sound card install apparently changed the default BootGUI setting
from 1 to 0.

Changing it back restored the system.

How can any program write to a read only hidden file?

It is only "hidden" from you. It is "read only" only when writing to
it via the system. One can access files totally bypassing the system.
You think viruses use the system??

One can also, as Candlin said, change the attribute, write then
reinstitute the attribute. You can do that too via Windows.

BTW, not a good idea to have hidden files.



Thanks.

I didn't think Creative Soundblaster driver software (from it's own site)
would be written to do that. Windows booting to only a DOS prompt is not
normal, and that's the change it made.

ms

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

TweakUI may have been the culprit. Some of its functions
require modification of the "c:\msdos.sys" file, so it
disregards the attributes. The version I am using is
somewhat cryptic in this particular item, displaying it
innocently under the "Boot" tab as "Start GUI automatically".
If this is unchecked, the computer will boot to a C:\ prompt,
without even telling the user how to start Windows or
reverse the change.

Ben

"ms" wrote in message ...
I recently had a machine where bootup stopped at a C prompt because of
this.

The msdos.sys file is hidden, the attribute is read-only. Yet a sound card
install apparently changed the default BootGUI setting from 1 to 0.

Changing it back restored the system.

How can any program write to a read only hidden file?

ms

Writing to a read-only system file?
 

ms wrote in :

"dadiOH" wrote in news:#LKS5LGGHHA.1216
@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

ms wrote:
I recently had a machine where bootup stopped at a C prompt because
of this.

The msdos.sys file is hidden, the attribute is read-only. Yet a
sound card install apparently changed the default BootGUI setting
from 1 to 0.

Changing it back restored the system.

How can any program write to a read only hidden file?

It is only "hidden" from you. It is "read only" only when writing to
it via the system. One can access files totally bypassing the
system. You think viruses use the system??

One can also, as Candlin said, change the attribute, write then
reinstitute the attribute. You can do that too via Windows.

BTW, not a good idea to have hidden files.



Thanks.

I didn't think Creative Soundblaster driver software (from it's own
site) would be written to do that. Windows booting to only a DOS
prompt is not normal, and that's the change it made.

ms

Software- the never-ending story.

Thanks to all

ms