system folders from previous installation

[Jonathan Mcdougall]

I had to change the motherboard and processor of my computer
unexpectedly and I found out Windows XP refused to boot on the new
hardware. I then used a not so good 3rd party tool to boot and delete
several folders. I am used to formatting a drive prior to installing
Windows XP but I wasn't able to backup anything in this case so I had
to delete and rename folders.

Three of these folders I wanted to keep because they had important
files so I only renamed them. After reinstalling Windows, I found these
folders were still considered system folders and I cannot access them
normally.. The first one was the trash (I was not sure what it
contained), the second was Documents and Settings and the third one was
the Windows folder. So I have three inaccessible folders that may
contain valuable data.

For the old trash and windows folder, I changed my mind and I want to
delete them. For the Document and Settings, well it contains my old
account and all my documents, so I want to restore it.

Deleting the old trash folder generates a "Cannot delete De465.com:
Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and
that the file is not currently in use".

Deleting the old Windows folder generates a access denied message.

Accessing the folder of my account in the old Documents and Settings
folder also gives an Acess Denied.

Using attrib does not work: I still get access denied on them. Process
Explorer did not find any open handles for these folders.

I thought of taking the hard disk to a second computer, but I suspect
it would be to no avail.

So I need to know how I can make these folders "normal" and access them
and delete them.

Thank you,


Jonathan

 

[Nepatsfan]

I had to change the motherboard and processor of my computer
unexpectedly and I found out Windows XP refused to boot on
the new hardware. I then used a not so good 3rd party tool
to boot and delete several folders. I am used to formatting
a drive prior to installing Windows XP but I wasn't able to
backup anything in this case so I had to delete and rename
folders.

Three of these folders I wanted to keep because they had
important files so I only renamed them. After reinstalling
Windows, I found these folders were still considered system
folders and I cannot access them normally.. The first one
was the trash (I was not sure what it contained), the second
was Documents and Settings and the third one was the Windows
folder. So I have three inaccessible folders that may
contain valuable data.

For the old trash and windows folder, I changed my mind and
I want to delete them. For the Document and Settings, well
it contains my old account and all my documents, so I want
to restore it.

Deleting the old trash folder generates a "Cannot delete
De465.com: Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full
or write-protected and that the file is not currently in
use".

Deleting the old Windows folder generates a access denied
message.

Accessing the folder of my account in the old Documents and
Settings folder also gives an Acess Denied.

Using attrib does not work: I still get access denied on
them. Process Explorer did not find any open handles for
these folders.

I thought of taking the hard disk to a second computer, but
I suspect it would be to no avail.

So I need to know how I can make these folders "normal" and
access them and delete them.

Thank you,


Jonathan

You may need to take ownership of the files. Take a look here
for
the procedure:

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, you
must start the computer in safe mode, and then log on with an
account that has Administrative rights to have access to the
Security tab. To start in Safe Mode, reboot your computer and
start tapping the F8 key as soon as you see anything displayed
on the screen. Keep hitting F8 until the Advanced Startup
Options menu appears. Use the up and down arrow keys on your
keyboard to select Safe Mode. Hit Enter.

FYI, the next time you change a motherboard, try running a
repair installation on XP.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Jonathan Mcdougall]

You may need to take ownership of the files. Take a look here
for
the procedure:

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

So easy. Thank you *very much*.

FYI, the next time you change a motherboard, try running a
repair installation on XP.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Yeah, I've been told thrice in two days now, better late than never I
suppose


Jonathan

 

[Nepatsfan]

So easy. Thank you *very much*.


Yeah, I've been told thrice in two days now, better late
than never I suppose


Jonathan

You're welcome.

Nepatsfan