I’m in need of help retrieving data from one of my hardrives.
My system was beginning to suffer from random slowdowns and wacky behaviour, so I figured it was time for a fresh OS install (I’m using windows XP).
I did what I always do, I copy all of the important info and files to one of my hardisks (I have 2, 80 gig HD), the format the other one and do a fresh OS install.
Well, everything worked fine until I went and tried to retrive the data.
What I did, was copy all of the important files to the “My documents” folder. Then I swapped disks (deiciding to use the other one to hold the OS instead of the one that currently held windows XP). I figured that once I was done installing XP I would be able to find my files under “d:\documents and settings\My Handle”
But I’m being denied access to that folder! Everytime I click on it to view the files a window pops up saying that I’ve been denied access. I never encrypted the files, all of the other files on the hardrive were easily deleted or copied, and I can write to the hardrive, so I don’t think it is hardware failure.
Additionally I’ve tried goign through the command prompt, to no avail, I’m still getting the “access denied” message.
I know the files must be there since the drive reposrts as 50% of the drive is being used, and this is the only folder left. I also tried defragmenting it, and in the status bar you could actually see some of the files in that folder being defragmented!
How can I retrieve my files? Are there any freeware problems in the net that might help?
I think you should change the permissions for the folder that you can’t access.
You’ll probably have to be logged in as a user that is in the all powerful Administrators group. Right-click on your folder select properties, and then i think it’s the security< tab or something like that. Add your username to the permmisions list, and give it full access.
I’m at work right now, when i go home(in two hours) i can check my girlfriends computer for the proper procdure and post back. I’m assuming windows XP home edition ?
Well it seems Win XP home edition doesn’t have any capability to mess around with file and folder permissions.( Good one Bill !). Maybe you could try to copy the folder into the shared documents folder for all users.
Also, following what larsenmtl was asking, if you are logged into the computer as someone with administrator rights, you would be able to access that folder and any other.
