BOINC-AUSTRALIA FORUM

Public Category - Open to Public => OPEN DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Mike Mitchell on February 22, 2009, 02:40:22 PM

Title: Access Denied
Post by: Mike Mitchell on February 22, 2009, 02:40:22 PM
On my Windows XP box, the BOINC6 directory is inaccessible and refuses all my attempts to be changed or deleted.

In Windows explorer, if I click on the directory it returns the error "C:\Program Files\BOINC6" is not accessible. Access denied.

I've checked the attributes in a CLI but that returns the same error.

Does anyone have any ideas what causes this or how to fix it?
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Wang Solutions on February 22, 2009, 02:55:20 PM
Which version of BOINC are you using? And I gather that BOINC6 is a non-standard location that you have created yourself? I am guessing from that name that you are using BOINC v 6.x and have chosen that folder name accordingly. Usually that message means the folder is "locked". Rebooting your computer (yes, the old standby fix for anything) may unlock it. If that does not fix it, make sure that boinc.dll, boinc.exe, boinccmd.exe and boincmgr.exe are all stopped, as these all access that folder.
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Furlozza on February 22, 2009, 02:59:02 PM
Also report the fault to BOINC message board, cause methinks that some of their 'improvements' are more dastardly than the 'errors' they are correcting from older versions.
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: WikiWill on February 22, 2009, 09:13:26 PM
Quote from: Mike Mitchell on February 22, 2009, 02:40:22 PM
Does anyone have any ideas what causes this or how to fix it?

Are you logged in as a user with admin rights?  If not then you may have no permission to access the folder.  There are a few solutions to this.

But if you're an admin, and if you're trying to remove the folder and have tried the other suggestions here, then you could try adding your login account to the BOINC admin / manager group (if there is one) then logging in again.  As long as you aren't running XP home, you can add your account by right-clicking on My Computer, choose Manage, and navigate to the Groups container.  Double click whichever BOINC group looks relevant and click add, and enter your login.
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Mike Mitchell on February 26, 2009, 01:16:00 AM
It occured so long ago I don't remember whether a beta Boinc 6 created the directory or I did it to protect the Boinc 5 data and settings.
I have rebooted quite a number of times but the access to the directory is still denied.
I am logged in as admin.

The problem is that when I do a new BOINC install now it still uses the BOINC6 directory unless I install Boinc 5. The Boinc subdirectory in wndows is also BOINC6 and access is denied.

Funny thing is I think that Boinc still installs into those directories.

Any other ideas or suggestions?
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: WikiWill on February 26, 2009, 07:31:40 AM
Going back to WS's comment I think a process locking the folder is most likely now.

Have you ever used the sysinternals process explorer? If so you can use that to find it, but it is confusing initially.

Could anyone have that folder open remotely, eg via a Windows share from another PC, or via a remote RDP or similar session?

Is there a 3rd party boinc mgr installed and monitoring the folder?
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Wang Solutions on February 26, 2009, 08:37:53 AM
If you do a reinstall you do not have to install into the same folder. You can change the directory by clicking the Advanced button during the install process. This unlocks what it offers by default and you can then install a new copy somewhere else.
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Agnew on February 26, 2009, 11:17:02 AM
Have you looked in the windows "Task Manager/ Processes" to see if "boinc.exe, etc" is still running and shut it down from there if it is?
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Mike Mitchell on February 28, 2009, 04:19:19 PM
Quote from: WikiWill on February 26, 2009, 07:31:40 AMHave you ever used the sysinternals process explorer? If so you can use that to find it, but it is confusing initially.

I don't know what this is, how do I find it?
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Mike Mitchell on February 28, 2009, 04:20:06 PM
Quote from: Wang Solutions on February 26, 2009, 08:37:53 AM
If you do a reinstall you do not have to install into the same folder.

Yep, I tried that several times but it doesn't seem to make any difference.
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Wang Solutions on February 28, 2009, 04:21:44 PM
Have you tried booting in Safe Mode and either accessing the folder or deleting it from there?
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Mike Mitchell on February 28, 2009, 04:22:11 PM
Quote from: Agnew on February 26, 2009, 11:17:02 AM
Have you looked in the windows "Task Manager/ Processes" to see if "boinc.exe, etc" is still running and shut it down from there if it is?

Boinc isn't running but I'll need to check that something else, perhaps BoincView, and when I have the problem PC running again, I'll see if it has any effect.
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Mike Mitchell on February 28, 2009, 04:24:50 PM
Quote from: Wang Solutions on February 28, 2009, 04:21:44 PMHave you tried booting in Safe Mode and either accessing the folder or deleting it from there?

I don't remeber but that sounds like a good suggestion, I'll give that a try too.
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Wang Solutions on February 28, 2009, 04:45:48 PM
Given that you use BoincView, also disconnect from the network before rebooting (or boot in Safe Mode without networking).
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: yoda on February 28, 2009, 04:52:12 PM
You could also boot in with a LInux live CD, then connect to the Windows drive and delete the directory :)
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: Mike Mitchell on February 28, 2009, 05:48:25 PM
Quote from: Webmaster Yoda on February 28, 2009, 04:52:12 PM
You could also boot in with a LInux live CD, then connect to the Windows drive and delete the directory :)

That's a good idea, I'll do that and see if Linux can access the damn thing.
Title: Re: Access Denied
Post by: WikiWill on February 28, 2009, 07:34:13 PM
Re your earlier question, you can read about and download Process Explorer from the Microsoft web site. Just use their search for it.