Access Denied after System Crash....any help ideas?

[Gregg]

Hi all. Any suggestions appreaciated on this. Had XP Professional installed
along with an older version of Win98 on the same computer, using System
Commander booting system. XP crashed while using (may have been a virus,
conflict, don't know at this point, I have run anti-virus on the drive
afterwards externally, and came up with nothing) After the crash, I was
unable to reboot XP through the boot panel on System Commander, but could
still boot Win 98. Tried using the Repair console to re-instal a new file to
the XP partition, but it didn't help. I eventually installed a new version of
XP in a free space on the drive (lost the System Commander as a result), and
could read the old XP partiton, but under the "My Documents" file, and then
my personal folder, I was unable to view the contents...I just received an
"Access Denied" message. I suspect this may be because I had my user account
protected by a password? I then did a clean install over the old XP partiton,
and found my old "Settings and Documents" file (and personal user file)
when I "explored" the drive, and again found that I was unable to open my
personal documents folder again..access denied. As a note....I could not find
my emergency boot disks that I had made for System Commander previously, due
to a divorce, and them being lost somewhere in the move, so unfortunately
tying to repair anything that way was not an option. I still have a copy of
the original drive with XP Pro and Win98 on it (no OS or MSB on it though)
that I made on a seperate drive before I attempted to retrieve my information
on the above. I am pretty sure all of my info is still on the drive, as a
properties check of the drive shows almost 8 gigs of info, but when I
actually try to check my personal user folder under documents and settings,
it shows 0 folder, 0 files, ect., and "access denied" when I try to open it.
I know that all of the other data on the drive, with the exception of my
personal folder adds up to less than 2 gigs, so that's why I am fairly certin
my info is still there somewhere. Any suggestions, or any software that
anyone knows about, that may lead to me being able to retrieve my
info/personal files is greatly appreciated....many thanks!

Gregg

 

[Nepatsfan]

Hi all. Any suggestions appreaciated on this. Had XP Professional installed
along with an older version of Win98 on the same computer, using System
Commander booting system. XP crashed while using (may have been a virus,
conflict, don't know at this point, I have run anti-virus on the drive
afterwards externally, and came up with nothing) After the crash, I was
unable to reboot XP through the boot panel on System Commander, but could
still boot Win 98. Tried using the Repair console to re-instal a new file to
the XP partition, but it didn't help. I eventually installed a new version of
XP in a free space on the drive (lost the System Commander as a result), and
could read the old XP partiton, but under the "My Documents" file, and then
my personal folder, I was unable to view the contents...I just received an
"Access Denied" message. I suspect this may be because I had my user account
protected by a password? I then did a clean install over the old XP partiton,
and found my old "Settings and Documents" file (and personal user file)
when I "explored" the drive, and again found that I was unable to open my
personal documents folder again..access denied. As a note....I could not find
my emergency boot disks that I had made for System Commander previously, due
to a divorce, and them being lost somewhere in the move, so unfortunately
tying to repair anything that way was not an option. I still have a copy of
the original drive with XP Pro and Win98 on it (no OS or MSB on it though)
that I made on a seperate drive before I attempted to retrieve my information
on the above. I am pretty sure all of my info is still on the drive, as a
properties check of the drive shows almost 8 gigs of info, but when I
actually try to check my personal user folder under documents and settings,
it shows 0 folder, 0 files, ect., and "access denied" when I try to open it.
I know that all of the other data on the drive, with the exception of my
personal folder adds up to less than 2 gigs, so that's why I am fairly certin
my info is still there somewhere. Any suggestions, or any software that
anyone knows about, that may lead to me being able to retrieve my
info/personal files is greatly appreciated....many thanks!

Gregg

To gain access to your old files you need to disable Simple File Sharing and
take ownership of the files. Take a look at these articles for more info:

"Access is Denied" Error Message When You Try to Open a Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

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.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi all. Any suggestions appreaciated on this. Had XP Professional
installed
along with an older version of Win98 on the same computer, using System
Commander booting system. XP crashed while using (may have been a virus,
conflict, don't know at this point, I have run anti-virus on the drive
afterwards externally, and came up with nothing) After the crash, I was
unable to reboot XP through the boot panel on System Commander, but could
still boot Win 98. Tried using the Repair console to re-instal a new file
to
the XP partition, but it didn't help. I eventually installed a new version
of
XP in a free space on the drive (lost the System Commander as a result),
and
could read the old XP partiton, but under the "My Documents" file, and
then
my personal folder, I was unable to view the contents...I just received an
"Access Denied" message. I suspect this may be because I had my user
account
protected by a password? I then did a clean install over the old XP
partiton,
and found my old "Settings and Documents" file (and personal user file)
when I "explored" the drive, and again found that I was unable to open my
personal documents folder again..access denied. As a note....I could not
find
my emergency boot disks that I had made for System Commander previously,
due
to a divorce, and them being lost somewhere in the move, so unfortunately
tying to repair anything that way was not an option. I still have a copy
of
the original drive with XP Pro and Win98 on it (no OS or MSB on it though)
that I made on a seperate drive before I attempted to retrieve my
information
on the above. I am pretty sure all of my info is still on the drive, as a
properties check of the drive shows almost 8 gigs of info, but when I
actually try to check my personal user folder under documents and
settings,
it shows 0 folder, 0 files, ect., and "access denied" when I try to open
it.
I know that all of the other data on the drive, with the exception of my
personal folder adds up to less than 2 gigs, so that's why I am fairly
certin
my info is still there somewhere. Any suggestions, or any software that
anyone knows about, that may lead to me being able to retrieve my
info/personal files is greatly appreciated....many thanks!

Gregg

You need to seize ownership of the problem folder. Click Start / Help,
then look for help on "ownership" to see how it's done.

This might be a good time to review your backup policy. If you have
important files (e.g. your divorce correspondence) on your machine
then you must back them up to an independent medium, e.g. a 2.5"
disk installed inside an external USB case. Next time you might lose
your documents permanently.

 

[Gregg]

Thanks alot...I'll give it try....I *really appreciate the suggestion/advice!
Happy Holidays to you!
Gregg

 

[Gregg]

Thjanks Pegasus...I think your suggestion is along the same lines as
Neps....I appreciate your advice and response very much...best wishes to you
for the holidys and New year!

G.

 

[Nepatsfan]

You're welcome. Keep us posted if you run into any problems recovering your
files.

Nepatsfan

 

[Gregg]

Will do...am presently taking ownership of my former documents file. It must
be working, because it took a long time while everything is tranferring. I do
have one qestion.... After the transfer, I know I hae to esablish new
ownership under my current OS. When I press "add" what should I put for the
user who has permission now? Administator? I have not created a special user
profile on the new XP OS , so I think I am the administator by default, yes?

Tahnks, G.

 

[Gregg]

To both Pegasus and Nepatsfan (those Pats are something else this year btw!),
thanks a million!!! I have have gotten all my s#*t back thanks to your help.
I really can't thank you enough. No divorce papers on there, but my last 4
years of turbo tax files, and irreplaceable photos were all there. Now I have
them again. Can't thank you guys enough (did I say that already?). Definitely
my best X-mas gift this year! I'm a big believer in Karma, and by all rights,
you guys should have something good coming your way. And yes nepatsfan....I
will be backing up religiously from now on . Later all, and thanks again!
Gregg

 

[Nepatsfan]

First off, it's never a good idea to use the built-in Administrator account as
your regular account. It should be reserved for emergency use only. If the only
account on your new installation is named Administrator, create a new user
account for yourself, log into that account, and use it to copy any files you
wish to move from the old installation to your current one. If you're denied
access to any of the old files, assign ownership to your new user account.

Nepatsfan

 

[crazyal]

similar thing happend to me when i did a reinstall, took ages to take
ownership of files