Locked files on USB sticks in Linux Mint 19.3 [SOLVED]

[19goalie50nxQ]

I'll make note of the attachments ideal file size.

Q1. True.
Q2. I've never thought of that, see no reason why not. It will allow me to close this problem as 'Solved'.

For future reference if I have this problem again in future, is it easier to change individual files permissions Access as 'Read Only' to 'Read & Write' using the 'Open as Root' as per the attachment in Reply Today 12:03.53 pm. Or is it not as simple as that?

Goalie

[Keith]

If you are happy with that idea in principle then yes; please do mark you first post title as [SOLVED]. 

Using "open as root" is always a good idea to try - there's nothing to lose.  We did do that earlier without success which is why we sought other solutions.  Have a go now just out of interest. 
You've been very patient and I am pleased that the problem is more or less resolved. 

May I make a suggestion about your file names?  Creating file names that contain spaces and any special characters (, ' : ; [ ] etc.), except for underscore and hyphen, will eventually lead to tears, especially when you come to manipulate them in the terminal.  Trust me: I know!  The hard way. 
For example, '3 - SECURITY CODES March 2015 to -----[334kb]'  would be acceptable as  '3-SECURITY-CODES_March-2015-to-xx'.  Numerals are fine but in this case you can find the file size easily by other methods.

Best wishes,
   Keith

[19goalie50nxQ]

Keith.

Thanks for all your help and patience with this problem, before i sign it off as 'Solved' one more thing.:-

In the attachment sent with my Reply Today at 12:03:53 pm which you had to reduce the filesize. You will see that there are some parts 'greyed out' how do I 'delete' the files in this instance.

Goalie
P.S. No rush for you to reply will do tomorrow I'm going to watch TV now.

[Keith]

Ah, that's related simply to the permissions - if you can't write to a file, then you can't delete it either.  One can think of deleting as a kind of writing;  one is doing something to the file, and one needs the appropriate permission for that.

Hope that helps.

Keith

[wishbone]

Keith.

You will see that there are some parts 'greyed out' how do I 'delete' the files in this instance.

Can you right click on the file and "move to rubbish bin". If you can then you should be able to delete it from there.

[19goalie50nxQ]

Good Morning Keith.

Regards to the 'greyed out' delete command the 'move to the rubbish bin' is also 'greyed out' so can't do that either

I don't want to take up any more of your time on this subject. So I've decided to go through the 'locked' personal files as you suggested in Q.2. in your reply Yesterday at 12:52:25 pm. Then I'll look later at upgrading to Mint 20.1 and be more diligent in importing files to usb sticks.

Many thanks for all your help and patience on this subject.

Best regards.
Goalie

[Keith]

Actually, it was Tony who suggested that method just now, but it's our pleasure, Goalie.   

There might be a way of making your task easier rather than changing permissions for each file individually, but if you have just a few then best carry on as you are doing as any other method would involve use of the command line. 

Cheers!
   Keith

[19goalie50nxQ]

I'm a gluten for punishment what is the command method, I have quite a few 'locked' files on another usb stick.

Goalie

[Keith]

Ah!  It means using Terminal Commands like we used at the beginning and that you found a bit confusing - which it can be. 
If you like I'll have a think about straightforward way of doing it and come back to you.  Let me know. 

[19goalie50nxQ]

Keith.

Agree I do find the Terminal Commands a bit confusing I'll leave it as it is and I'll sign this subject off as  Solved.

All the best.
Goalie

[Keith]

OK, Old Bean.

Stay safe.
  Keith

[19goalie50nxQ]

Keith.

This subject is as gone as far as I want it to and whilst not completely solved, I'm grateful for all the help you have given me with the it and the solution at the end is okay with me.

Goalie