I bought a kit to convert my internal HDD from my old desktop to an external HDD for my laptop which is my primary computer now. I wanted to retrieve some files from my old account on the HDD to my laptop's HDD however I get an error saying access is denied. I know I put a password on the old drive, is there anyway I can logon to my old account and get my files?

If you are/were using XP you might try this:

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP

As you are not booting that external drive the password should not be an issue.

Also since you are not booting into Windows on that drive you can not logon to an account per se.

You could return the drive to the desktop and use F.A.S.T. to transfer data as well:

http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.php

Originally Posted by jephree

If you are/were using XP you might try this:

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP

As you are not booting that external drive the password should not be an issue.

Also since you are not booting into Windows on that drive you can not logon to an account per se.

You could return the drive to the desktop and use F.A.S.T. to transfer data as well:

http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.php

I've tried that, but it's not working

I've also tried booting up with the drive as the primary and my laptop drive as the secondary but I'm getting blues stop screens with that.

Try using Knoppix.. there's an article here on the system http://www.d-a-l.com/articles/library/80.html

See if you can get into the folders with Knoppix. Once there you will need some instructions on SU'ing to root and copying the files, unless you already know how to do all of that.

If you are signed on as Root with Knoppix, you should be able to get to any folder and any file.

You are going to use a command window, or terminal to do this. I'll post the blow by blow instructions if you get your Knoppix disk working.

Glenn

Originally Posted by safiyathegeek

I've tried that, but it's not working

I've also tried booting up with the drive as the primary and my laptop drive as the secondary but I'm getting blues stop screens with that.

Is this a USB device that you are using?

Some ideas here:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device.../usb-boot.mspx

Were your files encrypted?

Have you tried putting the drive back into the desktop? If so do you still get Access Denied?

That would be fantastic. I've got the CD burned so I just need the instructions

Originally Posted by glennhefley

Try using Knoppix.. there's an article here on the system http://www.d-a-l.com/articles/library/80.html

See if you can get into the folders with Knoppix. Once there you will need some instructions on SU'ing to root and copying the files, unless you already know how to do all of that.

If you are signed on as Root with Knoppix, you should be able to get to any folder and any file.

You are going to use a command window, or terminal to do this. I'll post the blow by blow instructions if you get your Knoppix disk working.

Glenn

The first step is to boot the disk and see if you can access the folders in question.

I doubt that Knoppix will change the behavior but it's worth a try.

Otherwise:

Where exactly are you getting the Access Denied error?

Does this happen on all files and folders on that drive?

Here are two more check points besides everything listed under:

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

First uncheck "Use simple file sharing" under Folder Options > View

Also go to the 'Properties File sharing' tab and click "Network sharing and security".

Otherwise you probably need to reboot back into that XP Administrator account either by the previously posted ideas at: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device.../usb-boot.mspx or reinstalling the drive back into your desktop.


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