Hi, I hope this hasnt been answered because I couldnt find it using a search. I found other people who had problems using a single file but the fixes didnt work for me. Here is my problem. Just recently the "my documents" folder started breaking all of my media files (audio, video, pictures, and word documents) All of the files that have been there for a long time work. IE I can still play my music and look at pictures.

Here is where things go wrong, the second a file ENTERS my documents or any sub folder, it stops working. When I try and open media files WMP says it cant acess the file. When I try to move or delete it XP tells me that acess is denied and to make sure the file is not in use and the disk is not write protected. When I take one of the good files (those in my documents that still work because I havent moved them) I am able to move it out of the folder, but once back in they too are locked. Does this make sense to anyone? What can I do?

Have you made any settings changes that might coincide with the start of this issue?

Are you the only User? If not does this affect all Users?

Is this Home or Pro?

You might try these setting options just to see:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421


Also you might try a System Restore to a point prior to the problem:

start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Hey, I tried to fiddle around in safe mode but couldnt get it, ill try those specific steps in the link you provided. I am using home xp, and i don't think i have installed anything out of the ordinary recently. I honestly have never had luck with using system restore, but i guess its worth a shot.

ok, so i went to safe mode and was able to take ownership with the admin account and was able to manipulate files correctly. However, back in normal mode my account (which has admin capabilities) still cant do it. Im gonna go back and fiddle some more in safe mode. Any suggestions as to what this means?