File Attribute C

mickey11030 · Joined: Dec 25, 2003 Posts: 11

I have just noticed that all my files have the attribute C. I've been running XP on the machine for several years, and I never noticed that before. Does anyone know what a C attribute means?
Thanks

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1134 Location: Central FL, USA

According to the Attribute command, there is NO such thing as a C attribute.

Where are you seeing this? Can you show us a screenshot?

Curious!
Doc Cool

mickey11030 · Joined: Dec 25, 2003 Posts: 11

I'd be happy to send a screen shot, but I don't see anyway to attach jpg.

kenmabmcc

Below is a screenshot I have made with Gadwin PrintScreen 4.3

<<-- click to expand

I have it setup to capture a rectangular area,
then I uploaded it to PhotoBucket,
then used the image address above.
Press quote on this post to see how.

To download this free screenshot program click here and go to Gadwin PrintScreen 4.3 freeware at bottom of page.

mickey11030 · Joined: Dec 25, 2003 Posts: 11

I've thought about it a bit more, and now I'm convinced my file attribute is not C but AC, which still doesn't make sense.
To clarify, I see the AC attribute in a Windows Explorer screen.

I could not follow the instructions for showing the screen shot, so I uploaded it to a Picassa web album. Here is the link

http://picasaweb.google.com/mickeytrombetta/Attributes/photo#5206140842008443282

If that doesn't work here is a second link I got from Picassa

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mickeytrombetta/Attributes/photo#5206140842008443282"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mickeytrombetta/SD_tgzKQ-ZI/AAAAAAAAAqE/xfjjAKht8NQ/s800/Attributes.JPG" /></a>

I'm running XP. I just started using an HP Media Vault, so I suspected it, but their documentation doesn't say anything about changing attributes.
Thanks.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1134 Location: Central FL, USA

I kind of got the idea, from that picture, which was actually too small for me to really get a good focus on it.

Still don't know what's putting that AC attribute on your files.

I can only suspect that it's some program you're running on your PC that's doing it. Maybe some security program.

Just a thought.

The Doctor Cool

kenmabmcc

Cannot see that photo clearly.

goretsky

Hello,

By any chance, is the disk volume or directory containing the files are you are looking at compressed?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

mickey11030 · Joined: Dec 25, 2003 Posts: 11

I don't know if my drive is compressed - I didn't compress it, but it may have happened without my knowledge. How can I tell if the drive is compressed?

louis-the-cat · Joined: May 13, 2006 Posts: 264

mickey,

one of the things that you can do with NTFS is to compress files, folders or the whole drive.

If the file is compressed it is given the "c" attribute and labelled as such.

Your files marked as "A C", indicate that the attributes Archive and Compress have been applied

Try this link as a starting point:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307987

mickey11030 · Joined: Dec 25, 2003 Posts: 11

Thank you, the mystery is solved. And now that I think of it, a couple of weeks ago I defragmented my hard drive, and when I was asked if I wanted to compress the volume, I answered "Yes".

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1134 Location: Central FL, USA

File compression has been the DEATHNELL of many a hard drive.

Since the days of "DriveSpace" the bulletin boards and forums have been littered with comments like this one, from a school-boy,,, "DriveSpace ate my homework!"

If your data will no longer fit on your HD, then its time for a newer and larger HD or maybe just time to "Clean up your mess"......but, DO NOT COMPRESS!!!

Now the only question left is "How do I UN-Compress a Compressed drive?".

Doc Cool

thejamie · Joined: Jan 07, 2009 Posts: 1

Dunno how to reply to the person who asked how to remove file attribute C from XP - but, right click the file folder, from the general tab, click advanced, then unclick "Compress Contents to Save Disk Space"

mickey11030 · Joined: Dec 25, 2003 Posts: 11

When I right click a folder, I don't see anything like a general tab or advanced. Are you sure you mean right click?

mickey11030 · Joined: Dec 25, 2003 Posts: 11

I'm an idiot, please excuse. I just saw what you mean. Select Properties, and then General and Advanced. So now all is well. Thanks.