leo@uf-csv.UUCP (Leo Wilson [staff]) (11/03/84)
This line is intentionally less than witty. I am posting this summary of responses to my inquiry about write protecting individual files because of the number of requests I got to forward the information. Jay at unm-la gave the useful information, which bit to flip. It works like a charm! I have a friend with a copy of the Norton Utilities and used it just a few minutes ago to change the appropriate bit. I imagine there's a few hackers out there who'll actually use the DOS call, but I'm really a hardware type who prefers a UNIX environment (DOS means Disk Operating System, I think, but other than that I'm blissful...) to any other I've seen. You go ahead and hack, I'll just whittle a little for now. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bit 0 of byte 11 of a disk directory entry marks (when set) a file as read only. You can find the directory entry and diddle this bit directly, or you can use DOS function call 0x43 (CHMOD), specifying the drive:path/file as an ascii string. Or, if you want to buy a utility to do it for you, try "AKA Alias", available from The Programmer's Shop (800)421-8006. It includes "xdir" which gives you a directory listing showing the attributes of the files, and "chmod" which sets/resets any of the attributes. (Caveat: don't use AKA Alias for its advertised purpose -- it knows how to hang your system at the most precious moments). From: akgua!mcnc!decvax!ucbvax!unmvax!unm-la!jay __________ There is a utility to do that. Fortunately, DOS 1.1 and above allow files to be marked as 'read-only'. I think I have source code for the utility, which is called CHMOD. I'll try to dig it up and mail it to you. - Lester Waters - WATERS%viking.DEC@DECWRL (CSNET) ...decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-viking!WATERS (UUCP) __________ 1. To deal with write-protect/unprotect and other related things, you might like FilePaq, about $30 + S & H and tax, from SDA Associates PO Box 36152 San Jose, CA 95158 (408)281-7747 2. The above disk also includes erase/delete utilities and an improved directory function. If in addition, you patch out the names `del' and `era(se)' from command.com and create batch files, you may solve your erasure problems. Gene E. Bloch (...!nsc!voder!gino) __________ The new IBM DOS 3.0 includes a program labeled ATTRIBUTE that can set and reset a file's attribute to read only. DOS 3.0 is now available for list $ 65.-. There are similar utilities on RBBS systems that are in public domain and accessible if you have a modem and downloading capability. John Gulbenkian Varian Walnut Creek CA zehntel!varian!vaxwaller!jvg __________ There are several public domain programs floating around to do this, but I would recommend buying the Norton utilities. They are very useful. You could also get DOS 3.0. David DiGiacomo, BRAG Systems Inc., San Mateo CA (415) 342-3963 (...decvax!ucbvax!hplabs!bragvax!david) -- Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author. Leo Wilson USPS: University of Florida akgua!uf-csv(!uf-csg)!leo 512 Weil Hall CSNET: leo@ufl Gainesville, FL 32611 AT&T: (904)392-2371 "There are two types of aircraft: Fighters and Targets."