Can't saved an edited WordStar file (folder locked?)

[Oldpilot]

I bought a 32-bit Windows 7 computer because it evidently will be the last build to run WordStar, which I have used for more than twenty years and can't imagine life without. As I had done with my Windows XP and Vista machines, I simply copied my two basic folders (C:\WS containing the system files and C:\ONLINE containing all my document and non-document files) to the new machine.

Alas, I can open any WS file, and I can create a new file and save it. But if I edit an existing file, I can't save it. When I look at the directory with Power Desk (replacement for Windows Explorer) I notice that though all other folders are named in black font, the two WordStar are blue, and they have a small padlock showing. They are the only locked folders.

I have given the whole world permission to use these folders: MYNAME, EVERYONE, and ADMINISTRATOR (whatever the title).

The save-edited-file problem may not be caused only (or at all) by the permissions, because while I can "change directory" in WS to a thumb drive in the USB slot, and can open or create a file in the thumb drive, I can't save an edited file there, either. And E:\THUMBDRIVE does not show up as blue or with a lock.

Can anyone suggest a way out? Otherwise I am stuck with my fairly ancient XP box, and I'm not sure how long it's going to last....

 

[bbinnard]

Wordstar - my gosh. Talk about a voice from the past. It was great in its day, but I could never keep track of all that Ctl-K Ctl-Q stuff. It never occurred to me that it might still be working.

At any rate, try this to get control of your locked folders: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html

That option has worked for me in many similar situations.

PS: I too used PowerDesk for many years but have recently switched to FreeCommander XE because Powerdesk 8.5 (and perhaps earlier versions as well) has a bad bug: If you try to copy a folder from one drive to another PowerDesk moves the folder instead of copying it. So after it's done the original folder and all it's contents are simply gone.

 

[Oldpilot]

I'll give it a try, thanks.

Once the WS commands have been graven into muscle memory, it's just like touch typing, and all that messing about with the backspace key and the mouse is what seems antedeluvian! Plus WS is both a word processor and a text editor, so has no replacement in the modern world. I have a WS command set for Microsoft Word, and my version of Word will recognize and open WS files, but Word is a useless tool for creating web pages or e-books. I can usually get six years out of a computer, so my hope is that the Win 7 box will keep WordStar in my life until 2019--2020 with luck!