MS-DOS Application Does Not Display Directories and Files (96485)

This article was previously published under Q96485

SYMPTOMS

MS-DOS applications such as Office Writer or Harvard Graphics will not display certain files and directories on the screen so that you can select them for file operations. To access them, you must enter the entire path and filename at the prompt.

CAUSE

When the application and its data files are installed on the server (HPFS386), for example in the \HG directory, the network administrator uses Permit Tree to copy the permissions (set on \HG) to its subdirectories and files. These subdirectories and files are now marked with the archive bit on. Applications, such as Office Writer and Harvard Graphics, look at the archive bit as a hidden attribute and do not display them on the screen as available.

RESOLUTION

Use Netadmin to Revoke Tree, in our example, from the \HG directory. The archive bit will be turned off.
You can set permissions at the \HG directory level and users can access the subdirectories using the parent permissions.
If you want to set permissions to the subdirectories explicitly, highlight the subdirectory and choose <View permissions>. Do not use Permit Tree.
You can also use OS/2 File Manager to check if the archive bit of a subdirectory or file is set.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	7/30/2001
Keywords:	KB96485