AFUWIN.exe will not run

DarkPhoenix · 06 Feb 2010

O.k... this is similar to another thread of mine, but its different.. different file and different action.

I am trying to run (execute) AFUWIN.exe. a file needed to flash my Bios from Windows.. I cannot get the usb version to even copy to a usb drive so I thought I would try this. ( 60 people have viewed that thread and no one knows.. perhaps they will know how to fix this)

This does not execute, I do not have permissions to access the file windows says, nor do I have permissions to change the permissions in the security tab. I Am The administrator. DEP is Off. It makes no difference if UAC is on or off.

Any Ideas?

Barman58 · 06 Feb 2010

It would appear that the permissions on the file are corrupted

Now this is out of left field but may be relevant -

as you have UAC off you are not getting the auto elevation prompt that you would normally receive when dealing with this type of issue. What you could do is try setting UAC to the default and see if this helps.

Alternatively you could run Explorer elevated (type "explorer.exe into the start search bar and press CTRL-Shift Enter), this should allow you to adjust permissions.

Last resort enable the hidden administrator and log in as that user to perform the work you need

Also if you are using an NTFS formatted USB stick you would need to set permissions on that drive to copy to it.

seekermeister · 06 Feb 2010

Personally, I wouldn't flash a BIOS from Windows. I feel that there is less chance of a bad flash when doing it from boot and that you are having a problem with this as now, that would only reinforce my preference of method. Another possibility is to buy a new BIOS chip with the latest BIOS already flashed...if your BIOS chip is socketed permitting an easy replacement. If a chip is available for your motherboard, it is probably quite inexpensive.

Tepid · 06 Feb 2010

I agree with the above posts. as well as....

I have just run into this problem yesterday.

You may need to take ownership of the file or folder

Right Click the File or Folder

Choose Properties
Click Security Tab
Click Advanced
Click Owner Tab

You may have to click Edit to continue taking ownership
You should see 2 entries (maybe more)
Find your name and select it

If this is a folder, Check "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects

Click Apply

That is a rough draft off the top of my head, there may be other steps, but if you get that far, you should be able to figure out the rest.

See if that works.

The alternative is the TakeOwn Tutorial
You should not take ownership of files and folders at will.
only when it is needed, and ONLY on files/folders you have created or downloaded
Not on windows system files and folders, or the entire C: drive as has been posted around.

DarkPhoenix · 06 Feb 2010

Tepid said:

I agree with the above posts. as well as....

I have just run into this problem yesterday.

You may need to take ownership of the file or folder

Right Click the File or Folder

Choose Properties
Click Security Tab
Click Advanced
Click Owner Tab

You may have to click Edit to continue taking ownership
You should see 2 entries (maybe more)
Find your name and select it

If this is a folder, Check "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects

Click Apply

See if that works.

I have tried to change ownership in this manner and it is denied.. also what is odd is that in the current owner box, it says, "unable to display current owner"

I also tried with Windows Explorer Elevated, and I get the same thing.. denied.

I didn't know there was a hidden administrator.. how do I access it? I have folder options set to show all files and show all hidden files, and I do not see that in the log off/switch user or user accounts sections.

Barman58 · 06 Feb 2010

DarkPhoenix said:

I have tried to change ownership in this manner and it is denied.. also what is odd is that in the current owner box, it says, "unable to determine current owner"

In this type if corruption I have always found the the hidden administrator route is the only way to go - and that is not always successful

DarkPhoenix · 06 Feb 2010

I tried from the hidden administrator account.. still Nothing.. access denied.

Then I remembered I had a hard drive with XP Pro on it. I stuck that in and ran the utility from there with no problem.

My Bios updated perfectly.

I have said it before and I will say it again. Windows XP is The Best operating system Microsoft ever invented once they got all the bugs worked out. I like my Win 7.. But.. I will Never be without a copy of XP. I feel bad for all those people who don't have access to a copy of XP to help fix problems like these.

Thanks for the advice guys and trying to help me out.

Tepid · 06 Feb 2010

Did you even try the TakeOwn tutorial?

Plus, this probably could have been fixed from 7.

Anyway, glad you got it fixed.

DarkPhoenix · 07 Feb 2010

Tepid said:

Did you even try the TakeOwn tutorial?

Plus, this probably could have been fixed from 7.

Anyway, glad you got it fixed.

Oh No.. I see now that it is different than changing the admin from security tab.. er.. I thought it was the same thing you already wrote just more in-depth.. sorry.. I didn't look at it to realize it was an app that helped you make changes.

The file is still on my system.. I will try this anyway to see if I can access the file this way.

Edit: I see, it's a .reg file.. Hey.. I right clicked on the file and I do not have a merge option? What is up with that?

I used the Import feature of Regedit instead.. but I don't know why I didn't have a merge option.

Just to let you know.. It didn't work. Must be something screwy with that file.. all the copies.. I have downloaded that same file several times in case I got a bad download.