Vista again

[slofox]

My desktop PC runs on vista.

I want to change a game file so that my 7yo grandson can play the game more easily.

This requires the addition of an extra line in one of the game files which you then save.

I have done this easily enough on an XP machine. BUT. The current Vista machine will not let me save the file suggesting I "contact the administrator". As far as I know, I AM the fuckin' administrator but I still cannot save the file.

Should I take to it with an axe or is there a less messy way of solving the prob?

Ta in advance.

[Gremlin]

Likely in a protected directory.

Save the modified file to the desktop, then copy it into the correct directory, over-writing the existing file. Accept all prompts, likely a click to continue type box as well.

If you can't do that, then you don't have administrative rights with the current logged in account.

Check this by going to User Accounts in the Control Panel.

[slofox]

Likely in a protected directory.

Save the modified file to the desktop, then copy it into the correct directory, over-writing the existing file. Accept all prompts, likely a click to continue type box as well.

If you can't do that, then you don't have administrative rights with the current logged in account.

Check this by going to User Accounts in the Control Panel.

Over-write didn't work.

I am using the administrator account but it still won't do it for me - I've already checked User Accounts.

Error message is "Cannot create the C:\Program Files...etc etc.cfg file. Make sure the path and file name are correct."

Guess the lad will have to HTFU.

[Gremlin]

Can you move the original file to a different directory (ie, don't delete it), then copy the updated file into the directory?

[slofox]

Can you move the original file to a different directory (ie, don't delete it), then copy the updated file into the directory?

Whut..?

Wouldn't know how.

[BigAl]

Sounds like you don't have administrator rights SF.

Have you tried logging on as 'Administrator'? If you haven't changed the password it will be blank.

[SMOKEU]

Whut..?

Wouldn't know how.

He's basically saying copy the file in question to another directory which you have full permissions in (such as your desktop), then edit the file that's on your desktop, and copy it back into the original folder, being sure to overwrite the existing file.

If that doesn't work, then give yourself full NTFS permissions to that file (Google it, I've only used Vista for about 10 minutes in total so I don't know how/if it's different to 7 or 8).

[slofox]

OK. Problem solved.

I searched "administrator rights in vista" and found this .

Created a new "Administrator" profile as per instructions for vista home and was able to do the fix.

T'anx all.

[Akzle]

you people suck at tech supporting windows.

1- find notepad. Right click and run as admin. Open file, edit, save.

If that doesnt work, start>run>cmd
find the directory (cd)
then attrib (filename) -r -s -l
minimise cmd, find the file, edit it, save it, close it.
Back in cmd
attrib (file) +r +s +l


i think those are the switches. If in doubt, at cmd, attrib /? or attrib /help, look for read only, priviledge access, escalation req etc.

[slofox]

1- find notepad. Right click and run as admin. Open file, edit, save.

The problem was that when I did as you suggest, above, I could not save the edited file.

I think the problem was that my "admin" account was a limited admin account - as per the article I linked to. Creating a new admin account as directed in the article worked.

[SMOKEU]

The problem was that when I did as you suggest, above, I could not save the edited file.

I think the problem was that my "admin" account was a limited admin account - as per the article I linked to. Creating a new admin account as directed in the article worked.

Nothing worse than not having admin privileges on your own computer.

[slofox]

Nothing worse than not having admin privileges on your own computer.

Tell me about it!

[avgas]

Nothing worse than not having admin privileges on your own computer.

I simply don't tolerate it. If IT give me a computer without admin - I politely tell them to make me admin, or I am formatting it and taking it off their system all together. So far only 3 IT pro's haven't believed me. One thought he was a smarty pants because he had locked BIOS and the hard-drive. He didn't have a smile on his face when I opened up the laptop, swapped the hard-drive and popped the bios battery. Even took it to the CIO and CEO (I voided warranty). They came to me and I asked them which was worth more - my salary or their laptop. It's a no brainer when you put it in that context.

50% of the guys in IT are great, and knowledgeable people who a reasonable job. When I deal with these guys its good - we have an understanding, if I fuck up its my fault. Common sense prevails.

50% are over-paid morons. Whom think they have some kind of power.

[scracha]

you people suck at tech supporting windows.

1- find notepad. Right click and run as admin. Open file, edit, save.

If that doesnt work, start>run>cmd
find the directory (cd)
then attrib (filename) -r -s -l
minimise cmd, find the file, edit it, save it, close it.
Back in cmd
attrib (file) +r +s +l


i think those are the switches. If in doubt, at cmd, attrib /? or attrib /help, look for read only, priviledge access, escalation req etc.

To be fair axzle, you're correct. Smokeu's method (running notepad in non-admin mode then saving to say, the desktop then moving the file) would also work.

Best method......go into control panel-> user accounts -> user account control. Set UAC off and restart the PC. Problem solved and vista runs much faster. UAC is a good idea, it's just implemented terribly in Vista.

If none of above work (as in, can't turn off UAC) then he's probably not an admin on his own PC. Would direct him to http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/
Better still, stick Win 7 on it.

smile on his face when I opened up the laptop, swapped the hard-drive and popped the bios battery.

Old school...doesn't work on decent corporate laptops. Shit..even on some cheapo acer aspires you have to short 3 pins on the motherboard.

50% of the guys in IT are great, and knowledgeable people who a reasonable job. When I deal with these guys its good - we have an understanding, if I fuck up its my fault. Common sense prevails.

50% are over-paid morons. Whom think they have some kind of power.

Over-paid....can I get a job? I won't mention smart-arse end users then....a little knowledge does a lot of damage some-times. Bit like me with engines....beyond changing the oil I'm best seeing a mechanic. A good IT guy would let you do whatever the hell you like to your own laptop......I suspect however this would have implications for your access to the rest of the network and the help you can receive.

BYOD....fuckin gold I say.

[Gremlin]

BYOD....fuckin gold I say.

I suspect that helping clients to connect their phones to their cars would be just the tip of the iceberg on that slippery slope.

Ultimately, they instantly look at you for support on whatever cheap tablet they found on some deal site, then wonder why you have no idea/experience with it...