Can't access a directory at all - even with admin access

[Brad Pears]

We have a user who uses his own XP "home" laptop in opur oprganization for
work. He had a problem on his PC and appears to have lost some data. He had
someone reload the operating system and now the machine name is different
than what it used to be. When you browse his HD in explorer, there is no
"documents and settings" folder listed for the old machine name - just the
new one. He had many personal documents and Outlook contacts in there. A
search of *.pst files turns up nothing. (this is the file he nees the most
as it had all his tasks etc...)

However, there is a directory called "gary" under "documents and settings "
which when you click on simply gives you an "access denied" error. He has
admin rights.

Is there any way to get into this dir to see what is in there? I doubt it
contains any relevant data but it's worth a shot!!

Also, I tried logging on as the administrator but have no clue what the
password might be. I tried "administrator", I tried spaces etc... Maybe the
person who re-loaded the OS did not specify an admin account to be created??
I can't remember if one gets setup by default in XP Home or not...

Any help would be most appreciated...

Brad

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

This article describes how to take ownership of a file or folder
to which you have been denied access:

How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&Product=winxp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| We have a user who uses his own XP "home" laptop in opur oprganization for
| work. He had a problem on his PC and appears to have lost some data. He had
| someone reload the operating system and now the machine name is different
| than what it used to be. When you browse his HD in explorer, there is no
| "documents and settings" folder listed for the old machine name - just the
| new one. He had many personal documents and Outlook contacts in there. A
| search of *.pst files turns up nothing. (this is the file he nees the most
| as it had all his tasks etc...)
|
| However, there is a directory called "gary" under "documents and settings "
| which when you click on simply gives you an "access denied" error. He has
| admin rights.
|
| Is there any way to get into this dir to see what is in there? I doubt it
| contains any relevant data but it's worth a shot!!
|
| Also, I tried logging on as the administrator but have no clue what the
| password might be. I tried "administrator", I tried spaces etc... Maybe the
| person who re-loaded the OS did not specify an admin account to be created??
| I can't remember if one gets setup by default in XP Home or not...
|
| Any help would be most appreciated...
|
| Brad