Can't find a way into old Drive

[spookthehamster]

My parents' computer went bang (parts of it) last week, so I've sorted out a replacement. I took the hard drive out and put it in my caddy to take the files off. I managed to get all their documents, but my account was password protected so I can't access any of the folders. Normally, I'd just change the owner, but the drive won't even let me see the security details.

Is there no way into this drive? There's quite a few documents I'd really like to get back.

 

[Harvey]

Have you tried connecting the old drive as a slave in your main machine? If that doesn't work, right away, try logging onto your system in as Admin in Safe Mode to see if that gives you access to the files on the other drive or the ability to set permissions for it.

 

[imported_nocturne]

If you connect the drive to another computer as a second HD, would the security settings still prohibit getting the files?

If so, you could always try a boot cd (if the drive is ntfs, you'll have to use an ntfs reader -- http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ ).

 

[marulee]

Originally posted by: Harvey
Have you tried connecting the old drive as a slave in your main machine? If that doesn't work, right away, try logging onto your system in as Admin in Safe Mode to see if that gives you access to the files on the other drive or the ability to set permissions for it.

Fair enough!

'Life is cool'

 

[spookthehamster]

My machine doesn't have room for a 2nd hard drive, and I don't know anyone who'll be willing to let me inside their computer to try it. Plus, I should imagine the security settings would still be unchangable.

I'd tried booting in safe mode but still to no avail.

I'll try that boot CD, and maybe see if I can get into it in another OS.

 

[mechBgon]

I'm not clear on whether you tried this already, but in Safe Mode you should see the Security & Permissions tabs when you right-click the folder and choose Properties. Go to the Security tab, hit the Advanced button, and a new panel appears.

On the new panel, choose the Owner tab and assign Ownership to the account you're using, remembering to apply it to the sub-objects with the checkbox there.

 

[spookthehamster]

mechBgon - I did try that. The drive won't even let me see the security details, which include any details of ownership. Because I can't see anything, there's nothing to change.

I'm downloading the boot cd at the moment, even though I know it's not going to work (it seems to be BIOS related, my computer is EFI).

If that doesn't work (which it won't), I'll try a live CD of a different OS.

If that doesn't work, I'll go to see the evil, terrible IT department.

 

[mechBgon]

I hope the folder wasn't encrypted, or else you can just kiss it goodbye and move on with life. Can you take a screenshot of what the folder and its Properties panel look like?

 

[spookthehamster]

The folder shouldn't be encrypted, all I had done was put a password on my user.

Here's a picture I took of the screen I get (my keyboard has no print screen key)pic

 

[mechBgon]

Try going up to C:\Documents and Settings\Martin and do the Ownership grab at that level in the file structure.

 

[carl0ski]

Linux doesnt support NTFS File security
so you can use a LiveCD to vboot linux and copy everything off

or if you can read the root of the NTFS from windows
Right Click it > Properties>Security>Advanced>Owner>Replace Owner on all SubDirs

It will take a fair while

 

[imported_nocturne]

I wasn't going to reply, but your image post got me angry....

Deviantart is a great site used for the collaboration of REAL artists, and is not the dumping grounds of any pic you need to post.

If you need some free webspace to post a pic, use something like photobucket. Deviantart is not the place for this type of BS.

 

[spookthehamster]

Nocturne -

I do realise the intent of dA. The image I posted was posted to my scrapbook, and I'll delete it in a few days, once this thread has been resolved.

I used dA because I already have an account, and photobucket is extremely unreliable. Check out the rest of my pictures if you like.

 

[spookthehamster]

Woohoo, booting with an Ubuntu live disc sorted everything out. Perhaps MS should put this solution on their website?

 

[travisray2004]

Originally posted by: spookthehamster
Woohoo, booting with an Ubuntu live disc sorted everything out. Perhaps MS should put this solution on their website?

Yea, i dont think they would make a profit for doing that tho.. M$ is always looking for a way to make some money. Maybe they dont know how to run a unix/linux distro?