@ vile

Sony Viao  PVC-RS430G (UC)      OS version(as originally installed) 5.01.2600 SP1...but SP2 and all other MS critical updates since have been implemented.

C: is 15g w/ 4.15g free.....virtual drive D: is 91.7g w/ 37.6g free.... usb external J: is 111g w/ 51g free'(only thing residing on J: is the Western Digital back up of C: and D: ) I think it has the capabilities of making a boot disk also 

My problem has been esculated to beyond normal tech support at sony. I am to call them back today and speak with a tech specialist.  Keeping fingers crossed.  BTW,  I tried turning off all non essentials in start up, including Norton, and no change in being allowed to modify the errant folder.  Even booted with windows only running.

@  Vile  Should I consider purchase of boxed Windows as not cheap but a lot easier option than  total reconstruct of system. ???????