Renaming System Information Folder

Does anyone know how I can rename my System Information Folder?

I'm running Windows XP Pro SP2 on a stand-alone computer, NTFS not FAT, I have administrator rights, I have made the folder accessible, and have managed to get to where I can even look inside it (but I don't want to mess with what's in there). But the system won't allow me to rename it.

The reason I want to do so is because I have lost access to Windows Search function (just shows a puppy dog), and lost, under System Tools, access to System Information and System Restore. I also cannot use Microsoft Update - Internet Explorer just says 'Done' on a blank page. I'm pretty sure they are all related and also relate to installing and then uninstalling a trial version of Kaspersky's Personal Pro Antivirus, which may have taken a few things with it.

I have slipsteamed SP2 into my OEM's Windows XP Pro installation disk image and made a bootable disc and used it to run SFC /scannow - all to no avail. Phew!

 

oserdavid--Can you access System Info from Start|Run|type msinfo32|OK ? If so, click Tools and I hope you will find System Restore. Click on System Restore and restore to a date before you installed Kaspersky.
I suspect that is the best route to solving all the problems you have, short of a reinstall of Windows.
Another route to System Restore is
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449&sd=tech
P.S. If either works you will have to reinstall all Windows Updates, antivirus updates, etc, that have become available since the date of the System Restore.

 

Hello oserdavid,

If Jim's suggestions don't work, then try sfc - system file checker.

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

From the site:

Regards - Charles

 

System Volume Information

Thanks guys. I have run sfc... to no avail, and I'm not really all that concerned to restore to an earlier point - as things seem to be running pretty well with the applications I use. But I would like to be able to run Microsoft Update, and also to be able to search my system without downloading Google Search of MSN Search, and I suspect the failures here may have much to do with the other failures. Hence I'd like to try one of Microsoft's own solutions in this area - which is to rename (and I presume, regenerate automatically on re-start?) the System Information Folder.

But as I'm running XP Pro SP2 on NTFS - it seems I'm not allowed to rename this folder, though I could if I were running something less than 'extra strength' Windows XP (I jest, of course). Thus I was wondering if anyone had an idea how I could rename the folder, despite being not 'allowed' to do so...(even though I'm allowed to look at its contents)...Unless it is known that to rename the System Information Folder in this particular case would lead to catastrophe...?

 

You can use the Permission Modifier function of XP to enable you to have the proper authority to rename the System Volume Information folder.

For example, from a command prompt type:

cacls "C:\System Volume Information" /e /g %username%:f

Be sure you type it exactly as shown or else copy/paste it. You should get a verification of the commands acceptance. It will say, "processed dir: C:\System Volume Information." If so, you can then rename the folder. Then reboot and it will be recreated. You can then delete the old folder.

For a more complete explanation of the Permissions Modifier, refer to the command line help for XP. It's available via a shortcut targeted:

%windir%\hh.exe ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\ntcmds.chm::/ntcmds.htm

or merely copy/pasting that command into the Run window.

 

Renaming System Volume Information

Thanks Surferdude2 - that looked very helpful. I assume I was meant to type my own registerd username in place of %username% - and not to type the % signs? Anyhow - I did that and it did report "processed dir: C:\System Volume Information" - so I was very hopeful.

Unfortuately I then still got "can't rename, etc access denied" message.

Any other ideas?

 

Hvve you tried the rename (or ren) command in recovery console?

 

I use MoveOnBoot for stubborn cases like this. It's freeware. You can actually delete an entire folder and contents by dragging and dropping it into the target field of that software.

 

oserdavid--Since nothing has worked so far, I wonder if you would be interested to try the suggestions in my first post above.
I cannot find the MS suggestion about renaming System Volume Information so do not know whether it is a better solution to your problem. But I gather you cannot do it either.
You could also consider the possibility that you have malware on your PC.
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=37074

 

Renaming System Volume Information Folder (again)

Many thanks to all of you who made suggestions. I've been away, hence the hiatus. Welshjim - sorry, I did follow your suggestion - but it just gives a blank system restore screen. I think it unlikely I have malware. It's more likely caused by injudicious trial-removal of Kaspersky's AV Personal Pro or injudicious use of System Mechanic 6, or a mix of both. I'd like to follow up futher with Surferdude2 and Sparrow, if I may.

Sparrow - I'm a bit of an ignoramous - could you please give me step by step (or a reference to step by step). F'rinstance - I don't know what 'recovery console' is.

Likewise - Surferdude2 - just in case your initial suggestion does work but I got the implementation wrong "cacls "C:\System Volume Information" /e /g %username%:f" - what am I supposed to type where you have written "%username% "? Is it my username and no % signs or my username and % signs? I tried both, but I've still got a couple of more options to try - depending on what the computer thinks my username actually is! I think it's just David - but my computer may think it is HP/David or even HP\David (doh!)

 

The command has to be exactly as written:

cacls "C:\System Volume Information" /e /g %username%:f

The term %username% is known as an Environmental Variable and will automatically use the name of the currently logged on user. You need not change anything for it to work.

The command, when issued and confirmed, will assign you full permissions to view the contents of that folder. It will also allow you to delete the contents and the entire folder as well.

I can't guarantee that some malware hasn't become involved in the process however. You must be sure to eliminate that possibility. I suggest a full drive scan with one or more of the free on-line services just to be sure.

HOUSECALL Free on-line Virus Scan http://housecall.antivirus.com/

PANDA Free on-line Virus Scan http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/

Note: You can always verify your true logged on username by typing and entering:

echo %username%

from a command prompt. You can also verify the host computer name by typing and entering:

hostname

No % symbols are needed with the latter term.

 

Renamed System Volume Information Folder But...

Many thanks Superdude2. I did manage to rename, using the software you recommended. And it hasn't helped at all. So now my problem has changed to -

Despite recreating my system volume information folder I still cannot get the start-search function to work (just shows puppydog, wagging - nothing else), no system information (not a broken shortcut - the exe file doesn't work either - just hourglass and then nothing), no system restore (just a blank system restore box, no calanders, nothing), and no microsoft update (Internet Explorer just says 'done' and I have a blank screen).

But automatic Windows updating does work, even so (a new one came through after the problem started).

Seems I have lost some functionality.

I can't even 'repair' Windows XP - because when I put my self-created SP2 enhanced slipstreamed installation disc in and hit install to access repair function - it says some files are missing so it can't do it. And a full reinstall is the last thing I need!!

Running installed F-Prot AV, Spybot, Zonealarm Pro and Microsoft Anti Spyware - shows nothing averse. And apart from this missing stuff - the computer is behaving perfectly well.

Finally, I can't scan for malware using an online scanner because - you guessed it - it just sits there with the javascript address thingy on the bottom bar. The ActiveX necessary doesn't get to me.

Ho Hum...

 

Abraxus Are You there?

If it is permissable to do so - I'm transferring my query to the System Information won't start in Windows XP thread, since I've obviously succeeded in recreating my System Volume Information folder and it has not helped. I hope this is not against the rules.

 

For information on recovery and restore consoles:
Google

 

Thanks Sparrow, that was useful knowledge.

My problem has now been solved by Zander on the other thread.

I'm happy for this one to close.