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Attributes - Archive, Hidden, System, and Rea
DocumentID: 619288
Revision Date: 29-Feb-96 1:38:32 PM

The information in this document applies to:
WordPerfect® 5.1 for DOS

Problem

Solutions: It is possible that some files have been given attributes which make troubleshooting difficult or impossible. For instance, a customer might have protected the COMMAND.COM, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and CONFIG.SYS files by changing the default ATTRIB to Read Only. In fact, files that are important are sometimes protected from erasure or change with one of four attributes: Archive, Hidden, Read Only, and System.

When a file is created on disk, DOS stores not only the name of the file, but also the size of the file, the time and date of creation, and the attributes of the file. The four attributes can be toggled on and off when changing from one attribute to its opposite. For example, to turn the Archive attribute off, type the following: ATTRIB -A . Also, to hide a file, type the following: ATTRIB +H .

Attribute summary:
Archive:            When the Archive attribute is set, the file has not been backed up. When a file is created, DOS sets the Archive bit on. When a backup procedure is performed, the Archive attribute is turned off.

Hidden:            When the Hidden attribute is set, the file does not appear in a directory when you perform the DIR command. On a bootable disk, the DOS files named IBMBIO.COM and IBMDOS.COM are usually hidden files. When you perform a CHKDSK command, you may notice a report of hidden files.

Read Only:      When the Read Only attribute is set, the information in a file can be read or used by a program, but DOS prevents the file from being changed or erased.

System:            This option is similar to hidden files. When the System attribute is on, DOS considers the file a system file and does not display it in a directory when you issue a DIR command.

Answer:

Details:


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