Can't copy a file

[WebMaximus]

I have a backup script I created using Robocopy to always keep a fresh backup of some of my most important data but just noticed one of my files fails to be copied to my backup disk.

The file in question is a executable file called LTL.exe and is a small utility that is part of a scenery add-on product for Microsoft Flight Simulator X.

I've also tried copy this file manually in Explorer by right-clicking the file and then choosing Copy-Paste and although I don't get any error message doing this and the copy process seems to be successful the file never ends up at the destination.

I'm running Win 7 x64 Ultimate and I have UAC disabled (not that it should be important since I'm not trying to copy the file into a system folder) and I'm local administrator on my PC. I've also tried taking ownership of this specific file and double and triple-checking I have full control for this specific file looking at the security tab.

If I launch the file in it's original location the utility starts up just fine so the file doesn't seem to be corrupt.

I've also scanned both this file and my complete PC for viruses both using Avast! and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and all is good...not a trace of any viruses.

Many thanks in advance for what could cause this, never seen this before!!

Editied to add I did another test, tried copying the file within the same physical disk and that went fine so that makes me wonder if I'm facing some weird kind of copy protection here not allowing me to copy the file to another physical HDD...hmm...

 

[MilesAhead]

My thought was copy protection. Try via command prompt. But I bet it doesn't go.

Edit: the way to back it up for disaster avoidance is to make an image of the disk partition. Macrium Reflect Free is good. There are other free imaging programs. Look on http://www.thefreecountry.com/

 

[WebMaximus]

Interesting enough when trying to copy the file using a simple command such as copy ltl.exe d:\ for example (standing in the same folder where ltl.exe is located when issuing the command) I do get the normal result saying "1 file(s) copied" but when I have a look under d:\ in this example the file is not there. If I try with another file found in the exact same location the copy process works as normal.

So...in some weird way this file must be very special and not sure if it's a kind of copy protection or if the file still is corrupt somehow although I'm able to execute it.

Guess what I could do is to reinstall the product this file comes with but feels a bit annoying having to reinstall the full product because of one single and very strange file.

Thanks for the tip using some image software. Fact is I'm already using the built-in wbadmin command to make a complete image backup of my system disk. However for the files and folders where this file resides I don't want to use an image software but I rather prefer using robocopy. This to make it very simple to restore individual files if needed but also because I don't need a copy of the complete disk.

 

[MilesAhead]

I'd be very surprised if it's not copy protection. Especially since it works. Up to you if you want to experiment but my feeling is, since they wrote the OS a "nop" or no operation copy is trivial to implement.

In fact on another forum I got a kick out of this post:
Is Antivirus Software a Waste of Money? - DonationCoder.com

 

[Callender]

Force Copy

Hi. You could use PowerTool 64bit version for your machine to attempt a force copy to your desktop and once copied you should be able to move or copy the copied file.

EDIT: Download link removed by poster.

Warning: Don't mess about with the other features of this tool and ignore any warnings unless you know what you're doing!

Run the executable as Admin (right click option)

Open the File Tab then browse to your file and attempt to force copy it. Files that are locked or are in use can usually be copied.

 

[WebMaximus]

Thanks, tried what you suggested using PowerTool x64 V1.6 and received a message saying 'Copy Success' but when checking the destination the file is not there.

Interesting is that if I choose to copy the file to the Desktop I see in the background how the file icon appears on the Desktop but a split second later it vanishes again by itself.

 

[MilesAhead]

Hmm, I wonder if it has tried to call home? If you check your router or firewall logs you may see some blocked attempts to call out. It might not be the best idea to keep trying to copy it. You might get onto some pirate blacklist or something.

Edit: Just conjecture. I've never used FS.

 

[WebMaximus]

Yeah, maybe you're right. I've asked about this over in the support forum for the product but still no answer. I do have a valid license so should I somehow end up on some kind of black list I do have proof I own the product.

If it indeed is some kind of copy protection I think it's a very weird kind of protection not allowing me to copy the file within the same computer. I would have more easy to understand a protection that won't allow the file to be copied to another computer.

 

[MilesAhead]

I doubt you'll get any response from the forum on it. Copy protection is one topic that's most likely to either be ignored or the reply may be "we don't discuss it" etc..

Usually what happens is they tell you to PM them if you cannot install but can prove you own it and they give you a new license key.

 

[WebMaximus]

Seems to be the case but I would have been happy to only have a confirmation if it indeed is a copy protection of some kind so I can rest assured there's nothing wrong with my installation or that I got some virus or whatever.

Already scanned my computer with both Avast and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and it came out clean but I think I'll do another run using thorough mode just to be on the safe side.

 

[Ztruker]

What happens if you copy and change the name? Call it LTL.exe.back or something like that.

 

[Callender]

File Attributes

When you view the file using PowerTool do you see the file name shown in blue by any chance. I think that it's possibly a hidden file and that those attributes are copied when you copy it.

If you set folder view settings to show hidden files and show hidden system files can you then see the copied file on your desktop?

 

[WebMaximus]

I already have it configured to show all files including hidden and system files but I'll double-check that and I'll also try renaming the file.

 

[Callender]

Another thought

Perhaps it might be copyable in safe mode?

 

[WebMaximus]

Perhaps it might be copyable in safe mode?

That's another thing I could try although that wouldn't be a solution even if it would work because I need to be able to copy this file on a regular basis using a backup script based on Robocopy commands.

 

[WebMaximus]

Ok, done some more testing.

- The file is not hidden
- The file still cannot be copied when renamed, the rename itself was no problem though
- Haven't tried in failsafe mode since that still wouldn't be a solution as I said in last post

I think I'll just have to learn to live with the fact I won't be able to backup this single file and not a huge problem really since I could easily reinstall the product in case of a disaster.

Annoying though to be "beaten" by one single file...

 

[WebMaximus]

Tried 2 more tests.

First I tried zipping the file and then moving the zipped file to another drive and then extract it. Zipping the file went just fine and also moving the zipped file to another drive worked fine but when I tried 'Extract here' on this other drive same thing happened as seen when trying to copy the file...first it appeared to work and the file was seen for a second or so and then all of a sudden it vanished again.

Then I tried attaching the file to an email which I addressed to myself and I then tried downloading the file from within the email but that resultet in 'Download error'.

So...clearly this indeed is one special file for sure...

 

[Callender]

Another test

Here's another test for you. Try opening an Elevated Command Prompt and then try using XCOPY. Let's see if it works.

Right click LTL.exe and choose copy as path. Copy the file path into the command shown here:

xcopy "Full file path" D:\ /c /d /h /i /k /q /p /r /s /x /y

Replace D: with the drive letter where you want to copy the file to or additionally add a folder - example D:/TEST if you have created a folder named TEST

Here's an example - just a simple text file copy:

 

[Callender]

Suggestion

One idea might be to try finding a way of contacting the developer and explain your needs. Maybe they can suggest a solution!

 

[Berton]

One thing I've done when Windows can't deal with a file is boot to a Linux LiveCD/LiveDVD and manage the file/s in question. If that method works to copy to a USB Thumb/Flash drive it could mean the file is tied to the HDD, probably all part of an anti-piracy thing. I recall when realtors used MLS/Multiple Listing Service but couldn't take it home as it required a special parallel-port dongle to run.