How to recover files from an NTFS drive

[Andrew Stephen]

Hi

One of computers decieded to have an HDD failure (several bad sectors) and I
need to get some of the data off the drive.

I have installed a new drive and reinstall XP copied off most of the data,
however one of the users has a password set and I can't access there folders
under Documents and Settings. Is there anyway to copy those folders off
onto my new drive.

I have tried a recovery from the XP setup CD but couldn't boot from the old
HDD.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Shenan Stanley]

One of computers decieded to have an HDD failure (several bad
sectors) and I need to get some of the data off the drive.

I have installed a new drive and reinstall XP copied off most of the
data, however one of the users has a password set and I can't access
there folders under Documents and Settings. Is there anyway to copy
those folders off onto my new drive.

I have tried a recovery from the XP setup CD but couldn't boot from
the old HDD.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

"Access Denied"?

As long as EFS is not involved:

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

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

--

=- Shenan -=<
=- MS MVP -=<

--
The information above is intended to assist you; however, it is
suggested you research for yourself before you take any advice - you
are the one ultimately responsible for your actions/problems/solutions.
Whenever possible, the advice will include the method/places used in
compiling the answer. Also, questions may have been asked to clarify
your situation OR to give you an idea of where to look - do not dismiss
them lightly.

 

[Malke]

"Access Denied"?

As long as EFS is not involved:

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

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

And if taking ownership doesn't work, use Knoppix, a Linux distro on a
live cd. You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of which is a
cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumb drive with enough capacity to hold your data.
To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet connection and
third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso from
www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then boot with it and it
will be able to see the Windows files. If you will be using the usb
thumb drive to copy your data, plug it in before you boot the system
with Knoppix. Otherwise, use the K3b burning program to burn the files
to cd/dvd-r's.

Malke

 

[Shenan Stanley]

One of computers decieded to have an HDD failure (several bad
sectors) and I need to get some of the data off the drive.

I have installed a new drive and reinstall XP copied off most of the
data, however one of the users has a password set and I can't access
there folders under Documents and Settings. Is there anyway to copy
those folders off onto my new drive.

I have tried a recovery from the XP setup CD but couldn't boot from
the old HDD.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

"Access Denied"?

As long as EFS is not involved:

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

How to disable simplified sharing & set permissions

And if taking ownership doesn't work, use Knoppix, a Linux distro on a
live cd. You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of which is
a cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumb drive with enough capacity to hold your
data. To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet
connection and third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix
.iso from www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then boot with
it and it will be able to see the Windows files. If you will be using
the usb thumb drive to copy your data, plug it in before you boot the
system with Knoppix. Otherwise, use the K3b burning program to burn
the files to cd/dvd-r's.

Another suggestion along Malke's lines...

Ultimate Boot CD
http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/

UBCD for Windows
http://www.ubcd4win.com/

--

=- Shenan -=<
=- MS MVP -=<

--
The information above is intended to assist you; however, it is
suggested you research for yourself before you take any advice - you
are the one ultimately responsible for your actions/problems/solutions.
Whenever possible, the advice will include the method/places used in
compiling the answer. Also, questions may have been asked to clarify
your situation OR to give you an idea of where to look - do not dismiss
them lightly.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Shenan Stanley


THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!

I don't know how, but I wish I could buy you a beer or ten!

I actually stumbled across a post of your from almost two years ago
about recovering files from My Docs:

http://tinyurl.com/9m2lz

It saved my butt big time.

Yesterday my RAID 0, after deleteing Norton SystemWorks, and rebooting
said:

"Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

Well that would be scary to anyone, but with 400gb RAID 0 (2 x 200gb)
full of music, music videos, movies and pictures I honestly wept.
Nothing worked geting her going agian.
So I cracked the C: out of my old gateway, and with a lot of bios
changes (RAIDs are so disagreeable) I got in and got the bulk of stuff
off to my new 250 gb, an 80 gb, & a 60 gb, however I couldn't get to
the My Docs, My Photos, game saves and Alcohol120% images.... I was
up until 4:00 am last night struggling. Anyway, after about 100
post, with some very strange ideas, I found your post from two years
ago, and it still worked like a charm!!! You really saved me!!!

Sorry for stalking you. After such relief, I felt so obligied, I
tracked down the most recent post I could find of your, just to say,
my sincerest, THANKS! My girlfriend thanks you too!

Klattu

*grin*
You are welcome, Klattu.