Files with Denied access

[Joe]

I have a small problem with some files that i cannot
access, and i was wondering if anyone could help me get
to them.

I had a non registerable version of XP previously
installed on my computer, and i had a User account with a
password to keep my files protected from other users, due
to the computer being a shared computer. The time was
nearing when i had to register, and i could not, so i
purchased a new copy of XP, and installed it on to my
computer, with out formating, thinking my files would
still be there when i finished installing the new
version. I was correct in thinking my files would be
there, because they are, but i cannot access thoes files
anymore. I can see the folder sitting there, taunting me
with its prescense, but i cannot get to the files inside,
which i believe are still there. Whether i try to Delete
the folder, or retreive the folder, i keep getting an
error message saying "Access Denied", etc. Ive tried to
get to the folder from various angles, and still nothing
seems to work. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get
to this folder? Even erasing it would help me out... i
think it is taking up a gig or so on my PC... though
favorably, i would prefer to access the files to flat out
erasing them.

Any help or thoughts would be apperciated!
Thanks

 

[Malke]

I have a small problem with some files that i cannot
access, and i was wondering if anyone could help me get
to them.

I had a non registerable version of XP previously
installed on my computer, and i had a User account with a
password to keep my files protected from other users, due
to the computer being a shared computer. The time was
nearing when i had to register, and i could not, so i
purchased a new copy of XP, and installed it on to my
computer, with out formating, thinking my files would
still be there when i finished installing the new
version. I was correct in thinking my files would be
there, because they are, but i cannot access thoes files
anymore. I can see the folder sitting there, taunting me
with its prescense, but i cannot get to the files inside,
which i believe are still there. Whether i try to Delete
the folder, or retreive the folder, i keep getting an
error message saying "Access Denied", etc. Ive tried to
get to the folder from various angles, and still nothing
seems to work. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get
to this folder? Even erasing it would help me out... i
think it is taking up a gig or so on my PC... though
favorably, i would prefer to access the files to flat out
erasing them.

If the files are just in a different account and unencrypted, you can
take ownership of them. Look up "taking ownership" in XP's Help &
Support. However, if you encrypted the files and did not back up the
certificates, you are hosed and the data is lost. Read about encryption
in XP's Help & Support for more details.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Malke

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

your advice helped me out!!!!!! Thank you SOOOOOO Much!

Joe

 

[Malke]

Malke

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

your advice helped me out!!!!!! Thank you SOOOOOO Much!

Joe

I take it from your happy post that the files were not encrypted but you
just had to take ownership. I'm so glad it all worked out for you. And
thanks for letting me know.

Take care and have a good day,

Malke

 

[The Wolf]

I am having a similar Problem. I had some data that I
encrypted, reinstalled xp and forgot to decrypt the data
first. Nothing has worked for me either. If you have
found a solution or if someone reading this has ideas
please e-mail me. This is what I have tried so far:
Taking Ownership (failed)
Setting myself as recover agent (no certificate or key)

 

[Malke]

I am having a similar Problem. I had some data that I
encrypted, reinstalled xp and forgot to decrypt the data
first. Nothing has worked for me either. If you have
found a solution or if someone reading this has ideas
please e-mail me. This is what I have tried so far:
Taking Ownership (failed)
Setting myself as recover agent (no certificate or key)

To the original poster (and as a side note to The Wolf): if you only set
a password, then all you need to do is log in with an administrative
account and take ownership of the files. Read how to do this in XP's
Help & Support ("take ownership"). If you *encrypted* the files and did
not create backup encryption recovery disks and did not designate a
recovery agent (see XP's Help & Support about this), then quite simply
you are completely out of luck. There is no way to unencrypt the files
and you might as well format the hard drive and start over. Perhaps
some of the boffins at the NSA could crack the encryption (I have no
idea, since I don't know anyone like that to even ask). In Real Life,
its Game Over. I'm sorry.

Malke

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

There is no solution to this dilemma. This is what strong encryption means.
No backups of the certs or a recovery agent precludes the ability to recover
the files. Your only solution would be to be able to recover the original
installation in which they were created.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone