unable to copy file to folder??

Hi, when i try to copy a file from one folder to an other it gives me a message a long the lines of "Item could not be moved because folder cannot be modified"

I have searched Google looked at loads of things, tried something with the terminal, I don't know if I'm going wrong somewhere or what. But i am truly stuck this is my first ever mac, so I'm learning how to use it gradually. But this i haven't had before.

Thanks

AJ

are you moving the file to an external drive?

if not
have you checked permissions on the folders/files?

no i am trying to copy it to a folder on my Macintosh HD, I have looked at the info "command-I" and the locked tick box is grayed out and the permissions just say read only.

well, that's your problem. perhaps someone who's better with terminal can help here.

AJR08 said:

no i am trying to copy it to a folder on my Macintosh HD, I have looked at the info "command-I" and the locked tick box is grayed out and the permissions just say read only.

Click to expand...

What folder is that?!

Anyways, clicking the lock on the bottom left of the window and entering your password will allow you to change the permissions so you can also write to the folder.

Macintosh HD is where leopard is installed etc, on what window is there a lock in the bottom left, and if there is I cant see it.

AJR08 said:

Macintosh HD is where leopard is installed etc, on what window is there a lock in the bottom left, and if there is I cant see it.

Click to expand...

When you hit Cmd+I or Get Info.

Are you trying to copy something to a system folder? And if so, why?

yes i am trying to copy to a system folder because i need to change i file round?

Did it work?

no it hasn't worked

Click the lock at the bottom, enter your password and change the permissions using the drop down menus, or click the + and add yourself to the list with read/write permissions.

Personally I think changing stuff around in there is a bad idea, but hey, not my Mac!

but i don't have that lock at the bottom do you know why that would be?

You shouldn't touch the system folder, No applications are even allowed to write to it…

AJR08 said:

but i don't have that lock at the bottom do you know why that would be?

Click to expand...

I dunno, but I'd take it as a sign from above that you shouldn't be doing anything in that folder.