EMERGENCY: Files lost

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Suddenly (I do not really know why and how) I lost access to a folder located
in "My Documents", where over 3.000 photos were saved.

When I click on the folder, I get an "access denied" message. On properties,
there are only 30 Mb of data shown for that folder. That would indicate that
I simply lost all my photos!

Photoshop can not "see" any photo contained in that folder, nor do any other
software. I ran a checkdisk (full), without any change in results.

Any idea what may going on and how to correct it?

Reagrds.
 
Rainer said:
Suddenly (I do not really know why and how) I lost access to a
folder located in "My Documents", where over 3.000 photos were
saved.

When I click on the folder, I get an "access denied" message. On
properties, there are only 30 Mb of data shown for that folder.
That would indicate that I simply lost all my photos!

Photoshop can not "see" any photo contained in that folder, nor do
any other software. I ran a checkdisk (full), without any change in
results.

Any idea what may going on and how to correct it?

Try to take ownership of the folder/files.
This may resolve your issue.
READ the pages linked carefully - it has caveats and requirments that may
apply to your particular case.
In other words - do not just jump into the solution steps without reading
the pre-reqs.

How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

How to disable simplified sharing & set permissions
on a shared folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874
 
(e-mail address removed),
Rainer said:
Suddenly (I do not really know why and how) I lost access to
a folder located in "My Documents", where over 3.000 photos
were saved.

When I click on the folder, I get an "access denied"
message. On properties, there are only 30 Mb of data shown
for that folder. That would indicate that I simply lost all
my photos!

Photoshop can not "see" any photo contained in that folder,
nor do any other software. I ran a checkdisk (full), without
any change in results.

Any idea what may going on and how to correct it?

Reagrds.

That error message indicates a permission problem. If you have
XP Pro installed, you'll need to disable simple file sharing to
make changes. For XP Home, you'll have to restart the computer
is Safe Mode.

The solution could be as simple as making sure that your
account has ownership of the folder and Full Control
permissions.

For additional information, look here,

How to disable simplified sharing & set permissions
on a shared folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874

"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

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
Rainer said:
Suddenly (I do not really know why and how) I lost access to a folder
located in "My Documents", where over 3.000 photos were saved.

When I click on the folder, I get an "access denied" message. On
properties, there are only 30 Mb of data shown for that folder. That
would indicate that I simply lost all my photos!

Photoshop can not "see" any photo contained in that folder, nor do
any other software. I ran a checkdisk (full), without any change in
results.

Any idea what may going on and how to correct it?

Reagrds.

Once you get this handled, you will initiate a backup and/or archiving
process for your important data, right? It or sometins similar -will-
happen again, eventually.
It's too bad you have to learn the hard way, but it's the only way some
people learn.

Pop`
 
I do have a backup of this data. The problem is, that the backup is not the
newest (about 100 photos would be lost) and that I could not use the same
folders to recover them to.

Thank you, anyway, for your advise.
 
Thanks Shenan!

I tried to "gain access" to the folders, as by the KB article you pointed
to. It did work (although the article does not say that you have to log on in
secure mode, as I noticed by trial and error...), but I am still struggling
trying to gain access to some files.

I can "see" them, but not use them. Strangely, theese files are all under
one same folder (and subfolders) and I do not find any difference in the
security preferences, compared to the folders a can use.

At least, the files are there!

Thank you very much for your help, again.
 
Thank you a lot, Nepatsfan!

I tried to "gain access" to the folders, as by the KB article you pointed
to. It did work (although the article does not say that you have to log on in
secure mode, as I noticed by trial and error...), but I am still struggling
trying to gain access to some files.

I can "see" them, but not use them. Strangely, theese files are all under
one same folder (and subfolders) and I do not find any difference in the
security preferences, compared to the folders a can use.

At least, the files are there!

Thanks again.
 
Rainer said:
Suddenly (I do not really know why and how) I lost access to a
folder located in "My Documents", where over 3.000 photos were
saved.

When I click on the folder, I get an "access denied" message. On
properties, there are only 30 Mb of data shown for that folder.
That would indicate that I simply lost all my photos!

Photoshop can not "see" any photo contained in that folder, nor do
any other software. I ran a checkdisk (full), without any change
in results.

Any idea what may going on and how to correct it?

Shenan said:
Try to take ownership of the folder/files.
This may resolve your issue.
READ the pages linked carefully - it has caveats and requirments
that may apply to your particular case.
In other words - do not just jump into the solution steps without
reading the pre-reqs.

How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

How to disable simplified sharing & set permissions
I tried to "gain access" to the folders, as by the KB article you
pointed to. It did work (although the article does not say that you
have to log on in secure mode, as I noticed by trial and error...),
but I am still struggling trying to gain access to some files.

I can "see" them, but not use them. Strangely, theese files are all
under one same folder (and subfolders) and I do not find any
difference in the security preferences, compared to the folders a
can use.

At least, the files are there!

Thank you very much for your help, again.

I'm glad it helped you.
By the way - I had the statement about reading carefully for a reason.
*grin*.

First article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Under the title, "How to take ownership of a folder"...
The first "NOTE" on the page:

"... You must be logged on to the computer with an account that has
administrative credentials. 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
...."

I add the read carefully every time and everyone skips right past the note
to the steps, I suppose.
 
Thanks Shenan.

It seems that I see another article than you. I click on your link and see
the articles in Spanish. You will not beleve that on the Spanish version,
they skipped that part!!

Anyway. Maybe you could please help me with this one: I read the articles
very carefully (in English now, to be sure) and have the following issues:

- I am not able to disable simplified sharing (article 307874), becuase
there is no "Use simple file sharing (Recomended)" option under Advanced
Settings of the Folder Options. Anyway, I am not shure that I do have to turn
off simple file sharing to solve my problem.

- On article 308421, I read "In the Name list, click your user name, or
click Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or click the
Administrators group. If you want to take ownership of the contents of that
folder, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box." I
did exactly this, but strangely some (not all!) files and subfolders are
still without access.

If I compare the security properties of a folder that I do have access, I
see that the owner is the user RS (thats me) and not the Administrator or
Administrators Group. Nevertheless, the user RS does not appear in the
selectiion of possible users to give ownership to in the folders that if do
not have access.

So, how do I get RS on the users list to give access on the folders? Why do
you think that giving ownership to Administrator is not the solution? (RS has
administrator rights, also).

I hope not to be too confusing. Thank you again for your kind help.

Regards.

 
Rainer said:
It seems that I see another article than you. I click on your link
and see the articles in Spanish. You will not beleve that on the
Spanish version, they skipped that part!!

Good to know.
You have the spanish version of Windows XP I assume?
That's the only way I can think of that it would redirect you. =)
Anyway. Maybe you could please help me with this one: I read the
articles very carefully (in English now, to be sure) and have the
following issues:

- I am not able to disable simplified sharing (article 307874),
becuase there is no "Use simple file sharing (Recomended)" option
under Advanced Settings of the Folder Options. Anyway, I am not
shure that I do have to turn off simple file sharing to solve my
problem.

"Note You cannot turn off simple file sharing in Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition."
If you have Windows XP Home Edition - that's why.
And you are correct - it should not be necessary in your case.
- On article 308421, I read "In the Name list, click your user
name, or click Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator,
or click the Administrators group. If you want to take ownership of
the contents of that folder, select the Replace owner on
subcontainers and objects check box." I did exactly this, but
strangely some (not all!) files and subfolders are still without
access.

Taking ownership is the first part.
You now need to edit the permissions of every file (step 6 on my page. heh)

The #6 is a bit sparse...

Something like this:

1. Right-click the folder that you want to change permissions on, and then
click Properties.
2. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one
appears).
3. Highlight the Group or user name you wish to modify (Administrators
possibly).
4. In the "Permissions for XXXXXX" (XXX will be replaces with the name of
the highlighted name above) area, make sure *all* boxes are checked.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click on the Advanced button.
7. Check the "Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries
shown here that apply to child objects" box.
8. Click OK.
9. Click OK.

Try to acces them now.
If I compare the security properties of a folder that I do have
access, I see that the owner is the user RS (thats me) and not the
Administrator or Administrators Group. Nevertheless, the user RS
does not appear in the selectiion of possible users to give
ownership to in the folders that if do not have access.

Seeing that - you can change the above to RS if you like. However - is "RS"
an administrator? If so - RS is a member of the "administrators" group. If
you give permissions to the administrators group - as stepped out above -
this may become a moot point.

All you will see in the "ownership" area - where you can grant ownership -
is whatever your user is a member of (and normally the user - I thought.)
So, how do I get RS on the users list to give access on the
folders? Why do you think that giving ownership to Administrator is
not the solution? (RS has administrator rights, also).

Well - the user "administrator" and the group "administrators" are two
different things. And the user "administrator" is not the user "RS" - so
you need to give ownership to "Administrators" and then change the
permissions so that all in the "administrators" group have full permissions
to everything in the folder/subfolders witht he 6 step process I listed
above. You can even ADD a user in the top window (RS) and give them full
permissions.
I hope not to be too confusing. Thank you again for your kind help.

Same here. =) You are welcome.
 
Thank you, Shenan. I will answer as follows:

- Yes, my Windows is in Spanish. (I am located in Chile, BTW) And yes, it is
Windows XP Home Edition, with SP2.

- I followed your instructions for "step 6". Problem: NOT all boxes are
checked. The "special permisions" (last box) is not checked and I am unable
to check it under no name or group, because it is dimmed. Anyway, this is the
same, also with the permisions of the folders for which I do not have any
access problems. So, I asume, this would not be the problem?

- The user RS has administrator rights. It is the default user for logging
on in Windows. It is the only user, BTW.

I thank you for your explanations, that helped me understand all this much
better. But, now I think that the problem is not of access rights anymore,
because:

- The ownership and access priviledges indeed solved most of the initial
problem.

- But, I can not access (with the user RS) the files and subfolders under
/my documents/images/adobe/... Strangely, I can access for example /my
documents/images/ZZZ, or other folders and files at that level. So, it is
only one folder (and all its subfolders) that I can not access, now.

- Yesterday I had the problem that I doubleclicked on the .../adobe folder
and I got the "denied access" message. No files were "visible", the folder
properties showed almost no files and storage space. Now, after following
your advises, I doubleclick and I see the contained subfolders. I can even
doubleclick on each of those subfolders and they will open, too. I even "see"
the files in them. But, I can not open any file, no thumbnails are visible.
If I try to open a file, I get no error message, but it will not open.

- I had normal access to all my files only three days ago. How did the
rights change by themselves? The only thing I did is to install a new version
of Photoshop Elements. I even uninstalled it, tried the system restore,
without positive results.

- But one thing that is contraditory is the fact that logging on as
Administrator (save mode), I do have normal access to all files and folders.
(Thanks God the files are there, at least!).

So the posibilities are: I am too unexperienced to setup the access rights
or maybe to stupid to do so. But maybe it is another problem?

Kind regards, Shenan.
 
If it helps to understand what is going on, I just logged in as Admin (secure
mode) and shared the folders to the user RS.

Then, I logged in as RS again, and... the problem persists!

Regards!
 
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