Very Computer

by **Michael Boo** » Wed, 24 Jun 1992 22:24:45

I'm writing a little utility to move file and whole directory trees
under msdos.

The moved tree should look like the original tree.
Directory attribute and time should be preserved.

But I dont't know how to modify the time stamp of a directory.

There are DOS functions to modify the time (INT 21, AH=57h),
but this function requires a file handle.

Maybe this could be done by an fcb compatible call?
I could not believe, that this is inpossible under MSDOS.
Ok, I know you can edit the directory sector manually,
but this won't work in a networking environment.

Any ideas?

--

by **Myse** » Fri, 26 Jun 1992 06:03:22

I do not have the resources right now to give a complete source, but when
you read/write files/directories/whatever, there is a part of the file info
that give the t/d stamp. You need to read that, save it, move the stuff, then
replace it. Maybe someone with a full library could give you a source. The only
place I saw it discussed was in a paper on viruses, where it presented as an
example of a defensive mechanism. And that was not a complete source.

Here spooky spooky spooky!
Read this, and find the subliminal anarchist messages!
Holdover from a recent discussion on security. (whats that?!?)

by **Doug Mill** » Sun, 28 Jun 1992 15:07:15

> I do not have the resources right now to give a complete source, but when
> you read/write files/directories/whatever, there is a part of the file info
> that give the t/d stamp. You need to read that, save it, move the stuff, then
> replace it. Maybe someone with a full library could give you a source. The on
> place I saw it discussed was in a paper on viruses, where it presented as an
> example of a defensive mechanism. And that was not a complete source.

> Here spooky spooky spooky!
> Read this, and find the subliminal anarchist messages!
> Holdover from a recent discussion on security. (whats that?!?)

Here's another thought. Couldn't you use _dos_setfileattr to change the
"file" attributes from a subdirectory type to a normal file type (this is
via DOS subfunction 0x43 if your compiler doesn't support it.) Then use
_dos_setftime to change the timestamp (DOS subfunction 0x57). Then
another call to _dos_setfileattr to change it back to a subdirectory
type?
This method should also work as a way to change the subdirectory name.

--

by **Stan Bro** » Tue, 30 Jun 1992 07:55:31

>Here's another thought. Couldn't you use _dos_setfileattr to change the
>"file" attributes from a subdirectory type to a normal file type (this is
>via DOS subfunction 0x43 if your compiler doesn't support it.) Then use
>_dos_setftime to change the timestamp (DOS subfunction 0x57). Then
>another call to _dos_setfileattr to change it back to a subdirectory
>type?
>This method should also work as a way to change the subdirectory name.

Should? Well, maybe. Does? nope!

DOS function 4301 won't change attributes of a directory or of a volume
label. Reference: Ralf Brown's interrupt list (see the FAQ if you want
to obtain a copy.) (*)

The only way I know of to change the date/time of a subdirectory is the
same as the only way I know to change its attributes: Overwrite the
disk sector that stores the directory's entry in its parent directory.
Norton Utilities (and I'm sure its competitors too) does this quite well.

(*) I posted the FAQ list a couple of days ago, so it should be current
on your system.

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verify whether your software is generating a valid reply-to address.

--

by **Ralf.Br..** » Tue, 30 Jun 1992 20:08:48

}DOS function 4301 won't change attributes of a directory or of a volume
}label. Reference: Ralf Brown's interrupt list (see the FAQ if you want
}to obtain a copy.) (*)

Actually, it will change the attributes of a directory, but not the
directory bit itself (so you can't change a directory to a file or vice
versa). And to change the directory's attributes, you'll also need to
clear the directory bit in the desired attribute byte before calling DOS.

--

FIDO: Ralf Brown 1:129/26.1 |"Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from

AT&Tnet: (412)268-3053 school| -- Doug Larson

by **Kar** » Thu, 02 Jul 1992 02:08:30

>Here's another thought. Couldn't you use _dos_setfileattr to change the
>"file" attributes from a subdirectory type to a normal file type (this is
>via DOS subfunction 0x43 if your compiler doesn't support it.) Then use
>_dos_setftime to change the timestamp (DOS subfunction 0x57). Then
>another call to _dos_setfileattr to change it back to a subdirectory
>type?
>This method should also work as a way to change the subdirectory name.

It should, but it doesn't.

DOS does not allow to modify the directory attribute.

>--

by **Myse** » Fri, 03 Jul 1992 04:31:34

please note that all of the stuff that I actually wrote is not there.
I would not want to give a false impression on this subject :)
Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled newsgroup......

>>Here's another thought. Couldn't you use _dos_setfileattr to change the
[stuff deleted]
>>This method should also work as a way to change the subdirectory name.
>It should, but it doesn't.
>DOS does not allow to modify the directory attribute.
>>--

Is there a way to get a .sig on here without using a .signature file?
My news rejects .signatures

by **Kar** » Fri, 03 Jul 1992 20:22:31

Doug Miller) writes:

>please note that all of the stuff that I actually wrote is not there.
>I would not want to give a false impression on this subject :)
>Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled newsgroup......
>>>Here's another thought. Couldn't you use _dos_setfileattr to change the
>[stuff deleted]
>>>This method should also work as a way to change the subdirectory name.
>>It should, but it doesn't. DOS does not allow to modify the directory
>>attribute.

You may have noticed that my comment *ONLY* referred to the last paragraph
on _dos_setfileattr, and that the text of this paragraph in your original
posting (which YOU deleted in your follow-up) clearly indicates the purpose
of your posting (as does the Subject field). I felt that there is no need
indeed to indefinitely repeat the contents of the original posting in a
longer thread, especially if they are of no relevance to the point I wanted
to make (i.e., that DOS does not allow you to change the Directory bit of a
file attribute byte). However, I apologize for not having made a "stuff
deleted" note. No insult to you meant!

Very Computer

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?

How to MODIFY the TIME stamp of a DIRECTORY?