Can't change "read only" settings on folders

> Newly upgraded Dell Latitude 810 laptop; XP pro up from 2K Pro. FIle

> is NTFS
>
> If I select a folder & open "properties", the "read only" box is
> half-checked - i.e., there's a grey check mark (which I'm used to seeing

> indicate that some but not all of the files in the folder are read-only).

> can click on that mark to clear it, click again to check ti with a black
> check mark, and click it yet again to get back to the grey check mark.
> Problem is - none of the changes take. When I "OK" the change, the dialog
> goes away and I'm right back where I was before - and the same thing will
> happen the next time.
>
> I'm logged in as an administrator, and the folder in question is not

>
> Any ideas?
>
>