I downloaded a program called precast which was to help me view videos from a survy site " dumb move " any way when I try to remove the fies and folders it says they are write protected. How can I remove these? Also, I also wanted to remove a program in the add/remove program ( by the way I have windows xp home edition) and it said it did not exist. How can that be when it's in the add/remove program section?
If you can't tell by now I am a beginner, but I am trying.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim
Lima,Ohio

Write protection is a way to keep files from being changed or deleted. You can right click the file, select 'properties' from the menu that pops up, and uncheck the 'Read-only' box at the bottom of the General tab. Hit 'ok', and then try to delete the file again.

The entry in the add/remove programs dialog isn't always accurate... when you install a program, it does two things: It copies the files associated with the program to the program directory, and it adds a record of the installation to the Windows Registry. If you delete the folder, that doesn't get rid of the record in the registry. The program will always stay in the add/remove programs list, but it shouldn't have any affect on anything. You can get rid of it, but it's not worth the effort :)

Let us know if there's any problem.

Are you reporting the EXACT messages? Write protection usually refers to drives, not files or folders. It usually helps if you give us the EXACT messages.

Are you reporting the EXACT messages? Write protection usually refers to drives, not files or folders. It usually helps if you give us the EXACT messages.

ScottGem:
I tried what NOSNOSNA said and I thought that was going to do the trick, but it didn't. Here is some info.
FILE NAME: PreCast, Location: C:\ Program Files\Ocucom, Contains 51 files and 15 folders.
I unchecked the read only box and after I did that another box came up and asked if I wanted to apply this to all folder and files and I said yes. Hit apply and then OK. When I right click the folder again and click properties the check is back id the read only box and again I do hit apply and OK. Here is what the message says.
ERROR DELETING FILE OR FOLDER
CANNOT DELETE MSVCP71.dll. Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write protected and the file is in use. The file is not in use.
Thanks again in advance to anyone who can help.
Jim
Lima,Ohio

See that's why we need the EXACT error message. Now I know what's happening and it has nothing to do with write protection. What's going on here is that DLL file is loading at startup. Since its in use it can't be deleted. So you need to to run MSCONFIG to take Precast out of your Startup, then reboot. You can then uninstall or delete the folder. Or do it from Safe mode.

See that's why we need the EXACT error message. Now I know what's happening and it has nothing to do with write protection. What's going on here is that DLL file is loading at startup. Since its in use it can't be deleted. So you need to to run MSCONFIG to take Precast out of your Startup, then reboot. You can then uninstall or delete the folder. Or do it from Safe mode.

Scott;
I ran MSCONFIG and I found the start up you spoke about, but I don't know what do from there. All the boxes are checked. Do I only leave the Precast checked and uncheck the rest then click disable all? I don't want to mess anything up. So if you can give me a little more guidance I would appreciate it. By the way, as I stated I am a beginner and I am never going to be at your level ( I am 53 ), but how did you know to go to MSCONFIG?
Thanks again
Jim

You have to uncheck it. The checked items are being run during startup. Unchecking doesn't take it off the lists, just doesn't include it in the startup.

As to how I knew, the error message told us. It said to make sure the file is not in use. Since you didn't start it, it must have been started automatically in the startup and that's controlled by MSCONFIG.

You have to uncheck it. The checked items are being run during startup. Unchecking doesn't take it off the lists, just doesn't include it in the startup.

As to how I knew, the error message told us. It said to make sure the file is not in use. Since you didn't start it, it must have been started automatically in the startup and that's controlled by MSCONFIG.

Scott:
I am sorry it took so long to get back to you. Things happen. That worked exactly like you said. Thanks very much. I am glad I found this site I can learn a lot just reading the questions and reading the answers.
Thanks again:
Jim

Glad to assist