Some help please, new windows install prob.

[Big Al]

Hey, looking for some advice here from some of the knowledgable types here.

One of my mates PC died the other day, I took it into a computer shop for him and the problem was apparently the HD.

Long story short, a new HD was put in and the old one was apparently repaired and set up as a second hard drive, all the data is still on it.

All his UNI work is still in the old "My Documents" in the docs and settings folder but when he tries to get into it it says access is denied.

He had his PC set up before with 2 accounts, one for him and one for his sister so the only problem I can think of is that it's looking for him to log in or something.

Any advice would be much appreciated

[Fei Fong Wong]

Can he get access to them as administrator - meaning using the administrator account and not just a regular account with administrative privilages?

[randombs]

i have a feeling the issue is that the 'my documents' folder was encrypted, hence the 'access denied' issue. if the files were encrypted, then there's not much you can do as far as i'm concerned, unless someone can crack the encryption...

if he hasn't tried logging in to the new installation as the proper administrator, he should try that, as fei fong wong's mentioned already - you never know!

let us know how it goes

[Big Al]

I've just sent him an email telling him to try this, thanks for the ideas guys, much appreciated!

[Ciaran]

I had similar problems a while ago. He needs to go into safe mode and login as "Administrator". Then go to the folder which is locked you need to right click on it, go to properties and take ownership of the folder in their. I can't remember the exact procedure but if you search this forum there is a similar thread.

[yashiro]

You need to:

Disable simple file sharing. (Folder/Tools/Folder Options...) (doesn't apply to win2k)
Go to the folder in question.
Properties/Security/Advanced/Owner tab.
Change the owner to your logon. Make sure you also tick the ..on subcontainers box.
Ok. Done.

[Big Al]

Thanks Yashiro, that did the trick very well


Many thanks for all the help you all volunteered, problem has been solved now.

Nice to see so many willing to share their knowledge