Access Denied to very important files! Please help me out.

[GRagland]

My windows xp install got messed up and wouldn't even boot, so I put the hard drive in another computer to backup my important files. Most of the files I want to backup are in the Documents and Settings\Administrator folder, but when I try to open it I get the error: "D:\Documents and Settings\Administrator is not accessable. Access Denied."

How can I access this folder?
I am logged in as administrator on the computer that I put the HD in, and I tried starting up in safe mode but that did not work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[bsobel]

If you used NTFS encryption (it doesn't sound like it) you have a different problem. But if you just transfered the hd you need to take ownership (under properties and the security tab/advanced) of the files. As adminsitrator you have the right to take ownership, but until you do the system won't give you access.

Bill

 

[mechBgon]

To add to that, with WinXP Pro you will need to either disable Simple File Sharing in the Folder Options, or boot in Safe Mode, to get to the NTFS Security and Ownership stuff. And if it's WinXP Home, I'm told that you must boot in Safe Mode to get at them. Here's an illustration that might help some:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/m...gon/NTFS_OWNERSHIP.gif

I right-clicked the Documents and Settings\mechBgon directory there, and if I were trying to recover this stuff to a new Windows installation I'd put a checkmark in the Replace owner on yadda yadda box there and then give ownership to an account from the new Windows installation, such as Administrator. If you're wondering about TRASH, that's the name of my amazing 1GHz Duron here at home

 

[Navid]

http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;308421