SOLVED! WinXP Security Permissions problem SOLVED!

[wpcoe]

I resurrected an old mobo/hard drive/video card (AGP!) and put them in a new case. I formatted & re-installed Windows XP (SP2) on the C: partition. I retained an old E: partition with downloads (all pre-2006....), but cannot access any of the files on that partition.

I can see the E: partition in Explorer, open all the folders and view all the file names, but cannot access/open/view any specific file:

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

I'm logged on with a username with administrator privileges.

Right-clicking on the E: icon and choosing Properties > Security shows the following users:
Administrator, Administrators, CREATOR OWNER, SYSTEM. They all show "Full Control" under "Allow."

All folders show the same Security settings as the E: icon.

However, selecting any *file* > Properties > Security yields:

"You do not have permission to view or edit the current permission settings for xxxx.xxx, but you can take ownership or change auditing settings."

Clicking OK on that dialog box yields a blank Security tab, i.e. no entries in the "Group or user names" box.

How can I enable, en mass preferably, security permissions for the individual files on my E: partition?

If I return to the E: icon > Properties > Security and click on Advanced, and check the "Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects" for each user and click on OK and back out of the dialogs, I still cannot access the Security tab of any file without the "You do not have permission..." and when I do get to the Security tab of any file, it's still blank.

 

[yinan]

take ownership of the files.

 

[wpcoe]

Without right-clicking on each and every file, *how* can I take ownership of the files. I already have access to the folders, but the security tab for each file is blank.

Jumping through the ownership and permissions hoops for each file separately is the only solution?

 

[Nothinman]

When you take ownership there's a checkbox to replace recursively.

 

[RebateMonger]

First, let's be sure:
1) XP Home or XP Professional?
2) "Simple File Sharing" (if XP Professional) has been disabled?

 

[wpcoe]

1) XP Professional

2) "Simple file sharing" is DISABLED

 

[JackMDS]

For best results log to each computer's properties and set all the computers to be on a Network with the same name while each computer has its own unique name.

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructions

General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted

Please Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled). If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic. If the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disabled, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On.

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.

*Note. Some of the processes described above are done Not for Windows sake but to compensate for different Routers and the way their firmware works and stores the info about the computers that are Networked.


😎

 

[Fardringle]

In My Computer or Windows Explorer, right click on the ROOT folder of the E: drive (i.e. "Local Disk E:"), select Properties, click on the Security tab, click the Advanced button, click the Owner tab, click on your login name in the "Change Owner To" box, check the box labeled "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects", then click the OK button. You are now the owner of every file on that drive.

 

[wpcoe]

Fardringle: Thanks!

I would have sworn I had done that, but apparently I didn't, because I just did now, and -- voila! -- I have access to all the files!