Multiple XP Problems - Mainly Dealing with File Sharing


We have a brand new Dell w/RAID, Windows XP Pro. This computer is supposed
to replace our old Win2000 file server at work (we only store shared files
there - Word, Excel, Access and also our Outlook PST files - and they are
backed up to a tape drive).

This is what we did (everything was done logged in as Administrator):

1. XP Computer out the box - set up and immediately installed antivirus
(McAfee).
2. Installed all Microsoft updates and patches available at the time.

First problem was IE8 would not install. Due to heavy workload, had to put
the XP computer on the backburner for a few weeks so nothing else was
attempted at that point (it was unplugged - not connected to internet).

Went back to the XP computer, the update notification appeared in the system
tray but then disappeared. Went to Microsoft Update website, would not allow
me to download the file needed to even access what updates were available.
Finally figured out that I had to disable McAfee to get the file to
download. Updates then worked properly. But, IE8 still will not install
(even when disabling McAfee - strange thing is, we also have a new laptop
with XP and had no problems downloading updates and IE8 with McAfee enabled
on the laptop).

Ran a full scan with McAfee more than once and nothing came up.

Because it's used only as a file server (no one works directly from the
computer) we decided having IE8 didn't matter. So, next step was to set up
"C:\FolderA" and "C:\FolderB" for our shared files on the XP computer. Then
we wanted to disable Simple File Sharing - but that wouldn't work. Every
time we clicked to disable it wouldn't work. Since we didn't have anything
important installed yet, we thought we'd just try System Restore to go back
to 'out of box' state and start over - but it won't restore (not even in
Safe Mode). Multiple times it hung at the screen after selecting the date to
go back to, then, when it would start the restore process, on restart it
said it couldn't restore back to the time and date we chose (we tried more
than one time, never worked).

For unknown reasons, after the failed system restore, we were able to
uncheck the Simple File Sharing. So we created users and group using Admin
Tools - Computer Management. Shared the newly created folders giving
permission only to computer Administrator and the group we just created. All
went well, we could see the shared folder from the workstations.

Installed Retrospect backup software for tape drive and transferred our
files to XP computer. But, after loading all of our documents from the tape
drive, found that they were Read Only (found out when we tried opening a
Word document). OK, figured that has happened before when transferring from
another device, so right clicked the folder, unchecked Read Only and said to
include all subfolders. It went through the process but afterwards it was
right back to Read Only. Tried creating a brand new folder under C:\ but it
was also Read Only.

I've searched all over the internet and in Microsoft's KB. I've seen many
posts of the same problem with Read Only. None of the steps I've found have
worked to get the Read Only off of the folder. Tried the attrib command -
nothing. Doesn't help to do it in Safe Mode, goes right back to Read Only.

With all of the problems we have experienced is there something we are
missing here that is preventing all of these things - updating without
shutting down virus software, inability to system restore, inability to get
Read Only off of folders? It's getting VERY frustrating because this
involves thousands of files and we thought it would be a fairly easy
transition to the new computer. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks in advance for any help provided.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Windows Update Problems
    ... System Restore is now working and PC reboot occurs without problem BUT: ... But when I run Windows Update again it shows kb916281 and kb917344 as outstanding critical updates despite prior confirmation of successful install as well as showing kb918547 as outstanding critical update. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: Strange happenings w/browsers and OE, please help!
    ... >> Where there any updates installed from Windows Updates right before>> the ... >> System Restore to before they were installed. ... Remove them through Control Panel | Add/Remove programs. ... That way I can restore a previous image if a software or hardware install causes problems. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Vista constantly rebooting after this weeks updates - "Config
    ... \par 949358\tab Updates do not install successfully and your computer is continually restarting when you try to install updates from Windows Update on a Windows Vista computer. ... \par Organization: Microsoft ... system restore is the answer. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: Office 2003 Updates keep failing
    ... Locate and then click to select the folder in which the Ose.exe file is ... outlook data please go to the following link: ... After you install the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility, ... Go to Office Product Updates Web site to check for all available ...
    (microsoft.public.office.setup)
  • Re: Windows updates fail after install of SP2
    ... I don't have the SensLogn folder within the Notify folder. ... the Automatic Updates service cannot impersonate the logged-on ... For some reason I don't have a WindowsUpdate.log file in the Windows ... automatically download and install updates but that didn't seem to do ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)