Access denied issue

[utcrazy]

Hello all,

I recently bought a new motherboard and processor, and my version of XP stopped worked, so I installed XP again on a new hard drive. I now want to access the files on the Old c:/documents and settings/User folder, however, when I ran the old version of windows, I set it to privatize this folder. So now when i enter it, it says access denied. Any ideas on how to retrieve the files here? It's really important stuff.

Thanks

[Canuckkev]

I have no idea about Windows file permissions and that crap, but an idea is to throw in a Knoppix disc, and copy the files from one drive to the other. I think the latest Knoppix can read/write NTFS, but I could be wrong. Maybe it can just read NTFS. So, unless you have a FAT32 partition lying around that you can write to, that might not help much.

[utcrazy]

Any other suggestions, anyone? I might try a ubuntu live CD/

[Decker]

Sounds like a dodgy version of XP to start with. Or an old version that checks hardware changes and requires activation again.

You could try an admin login (if it's Pro version) and do a properties on the disk and change the 'owner' which should reset access permissions.

[Dini]

I've tried what Decker said with no luck (I have the same problem). I also tried with Ubuntu, no results either :(

[T^2]

I'm not 100% sure what the problem is? So you made a folder private for a specific user and now you can't gain access to it? Is there a password on the folder or no?

[KHost]

If your files were made private on the old Windows installation, the only way to access them on the new Windows installation is to become the owner of the new files. This is possible in the Security tab after right clicking on the folder and going to Properties.

[Mini]

Disable simple file sharing and then in the security tab reset permissions and that should work.

Mini

[Canuckkev]

I also tried with Ubuntu, no results either :(
What does 'no results' mean? If you boot into Linux, can you mount the XP partition? If no, you might need some NTFS package.

[Decker]

Hang on just read it again - when you say you 'privatised' the folder do you mean you used EFS to protect it, if so you need the key to access it again, hope you made a key disk if so?!?

[Dini]

What does 'no results' mean? If you boot into Linux, can you mount the XP partition? If no, you might need some NTFS package.

I could mount it, but all files had reading and no writing permissions. And I got an error trying to access the folder.

The folder was protected with the typical XP protection system, on the users menu in the Control Panel.

[Decker]

I could mount it, but all files had reading and no writing permissions. And I got an error trying to access the folder.

The folder was protected with the typical XP protection system, on the users menu in the Control Panel.

More likely 'view' permissions but not read/write or modify.

XP protection system in control panel? Not something native in control panel?

[Dini]

I Yes, it's native. When you create a user account in the Control Panel, it gives you the option of making all files private to other users . -that's what I mean by protection system, sorry ;)

[Decker]

That's EFS (encrypted file system) - your boned :(

[utcrazy]

Hey kids,

When I say privatized, I right clicked on the folder, and selected make folder private. Surely the file isn't completely locked seeing as the user had to be able to access it initially.

[utcrazy]

Guys, I also figured out the solution, well a google search did.

http://groups.google.ca/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support/browse_thread/thread/eb90384c1e1bb2de/e59164429f1004a9?lnk=st&q=unlock+a+folder+that+is+locked+by+windows+as+a+private+fol der&rnum=1&hl=en#e59164429f1004a9

[heymrdj]

When I last had this problem, I had to call Microsoft to work it out. It took a special program which they have you download a special program and authenticate yourself through a private microsoft network (authentication keys only lasts 10 min. though, and the service rep is watching your comp the whole time. Anyways after about an hour and a half of work....and 30$ to MS...it was unlocked and I got the files.

[heymrdj]

Guys, I also figured out the solution, well a google search did.

http://groups.google.ca/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support/browse_thread/thread/eb90384c1e1bb2de/e59164429f1004a9?lnk=st&q=unlock+a+folder+that+is+locked+by+windows+as+a+private+fol der&rnum=1&hl=en#e59164429f1004a9

You can try that....didn't work for me though...thats why I had to call.

[Decker]

So we went back to taking ownership of the folder :rolleyes2 , you don't need to start in safe mode as in that article, any admin login will do, just don't change owner simply remove it but don't click ok all the way through, apply it and go back in and take ownership as an admin, then assign full permissions, apply that and check access. If you can access it okay then click okay to close the property boxes.

heymrdj - you did get boned by EFS :eek2: if using that make the 'key disk' and keep it safe, if all goes wrong it'll save the $30 to MS and the hassle.

[heymrdj]

I used WinXP's private system, not EFS.

Also I did get my 30$ back for the inconvenience of waiting for a MS technical engineer to call back with a solution.

[Decker]

I used WinXP's private system, not EFS.

What is WinXP's "private system" not farmiliar with it.

[Host4Cheap]

Maybe this helps

1. First goto the location of the file you are having trouble with, for an example “C:\Documents and Settings”. Goto “Run” and type “C:\Documents and Settings” or browse in explorer to it.

2. From the file menu select “Tools” and then “Folder Options"

3. When the “Folder Options” open select “View” Tab

4. Scroll down in “Adanced Settings” and untick the check box “Use simple file sharing” and press “OK”

5. Now right click on the folder you want access and select “Properties”

6. In the “Properties” menu goto “Secutiry” tab. From “Group or usernames” select the username from which you are logged in. In “Permissions” make sure all the check boxes under “Allow” is checked and click the “Advanced” button.

7. When the “Advanced” tab opens select “Owner” tab. From the list of users select your username, check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” check box and press “OK”.

[Decker]

Already said!