READ ONLY/ARCHIVE FOR FILES (W98)

[ve6tp]

Hi:

I guess I need a bit of an education. Can someone explain the difference on having a file shaved with "Read Only" verses "Archive"??

Is it better to leave all options unchecked??

Finally, if there is a preference, then how can I make the decision as the default for when files are saved, say for example, in "Archive"??

Thanks for the time and help.

ve6tp

[BertImmenschuh]

Read Only means it can't be changed and can't be deleted without removing the attribute, Windows will complain when trying to delete or move it.

Archive means that's the only copy the Operating System knows about. Most backup programs will change that after doing a backup.

I'd leave the Archive bit set unless you know for sure you have a second viable copy elsewhere. Some Read Only can be cleared, any files copied from a CD to a Hard drive will be Read Only unless manually changed [except WinXP does it automatically].

[i]Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement

[ve6tp]

Hi Bert:

Thank you very much for such a fast reply.

I had backed up my files on a CD and re-installed them on my new hard drive, so that would explain why the files were all in "Read Only", that is, if I understand your explanation :-))

I will take your advise and leave things as they are, which is "Archive". But just for future information, is there a means of changing the default from that to another type, such as READ ONLY or NOTHING CHECKED??

Again, thank you very much Bert, I do appreciate your help.

Regards,
ve6tp

[BertImmenschuh]

If there is a default, it would be in the registry and I've not explored where.

All the OSes I've worked with set the Archive bit automatically. Backup programs know where to look to make the change or they do it en masse at the end of the backup.

In Windows, you can select all the files in a folder and change the attributes at the same time but if you have a lot of folders it will take some time.

Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement

[ve6tp]

OK Bert:

Yes, I am aware that the files can be changed in mass by selection, then applicationof the attribute. I did do that to all of my folders and you are correct .... it is quite a job.

My initial reason for asking about this was because after the files were downloaded from my CD backup disk to the new hard drive, files I had for web designs came up as "Read Only" and of course this is of no use. They had to be changed to "Archive" to be useful.

Thank you for being so patient with me and for explaining it all. I do apprecitate your time and help very much.

Best regards,
ve6tp

[motoflop]

Original purpose for archive bit was to mark files that has been changed since last backup. Years ago when computer clocks weren't accurate (or battery backed) it wasn't reliable to compare file's timestamp and that way see which files were modified since last backup. So archive bit was used instead.

[ve6tp]

Hi motoflop:

OK, and thanks for the explaination. That does go back a few years!!

Best regards,
ve6tp