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Cannot access files/folders from old hard drive

Tags:
  • Windows XP
  • Green
  • Hard Drives
  • Permissions
Last response: in Windows XP
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January 18, 2014 10:28:01 AM

I replaced my old hard drive and can only access some of the files from it. Other files and folders have GREEN fonts and will not open/copy etc.

I have added the "take ownership" feature. I tried the AccessGain feature.

And I have tried changing the permissions/ownership at every possible level: file/folder/group/drive

Nothing seems to work at any level, I always get the "user does not have access privileges.

I know this topic has been covered extensively, but none of the solutions I'm seeing work for me. Any help appreciated

More about : access files folders hard drive

January 18, 2014 2:59:26 PM

Ubrales said:
Have you tried "RECUVA"?

http://www.piriform.com/recuva


Thanks Ubrales. I actually did try that after I posted this, and it would not "find" the files I wanted.

I am now trying some version of EFS data recovery to see if it will work.

btw, I also tried rebooting in safe mode to see if that affected the permissions or access. It did not.

I'll post back after the EFS runs.

Thanks again!
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January 18, 2014 3:09:04 PM

Try connecting this disk to another computer and then see whether you can recover any files.

What was the reason for changing the HDD? Did you go with a larger disk? Just curious.
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January 18, 2014 3:13:21 PM

Ubrales said:
Try connecting this disk to another computer and then see whether you can recover any files.

What was the reason for changing the HDD? Did you go with a larger disk? Just curious.


It was 160GB I got with the computer and it seemed like SOOO much capacity at the time. Haha. Anyway, I started getting funny readings (errors/bad sectors) and decided to switch it out before I lost everything.

It's looking like EFS might do the trick, but I'll have to go for the paid version to get everything.

Thanks again.
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January 18, 2014 3:21:04 PM

phillyt said:
Ubrales said:
Try connecting this disk to another computer and then see whether you can recover any files.

What was the reason for changing the HDD? Did you go with a larger disk? Just curious.


It was 160GB I got with the computer and it seemed like SOOO much capacity at the time. Haha. Anyway, I started getting funny readings (errors/bad sectors) and decided to switch it out before I lost everything.

It's looking like EFS might do the trick, but I'll have to go for the paid version to get everything.

Thanks again.

The 'paid version' may get you "recoverable' files; that's the catch. I have an old 750 GB HDD that has failed and very few files are recoverable. Fortunately, I am a strong believer in backups and therefore I did not lose any files as the result of the disk failure.

If the old HDD has bad sectors it will be very difficult to recover files. There are professional file recovery services but these services cost about $2,000
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January 18, 2014 3:34:25 PM

Ubrales said:
phillyt said:
Ubrales said:
Try connecting this disk to another computer and then see whether you can recover any files.

What was the reason for changing the HDD? Did you go with a larger disk? Just curious.


It was 160GB I got with the computer and it seemed like SOOO much capacity at the time. Haha. Anyway, I started getting funny readings (errors/bad sectors) and decided to switch it out before I lost everything.

It's looking like EFS might do the trick, but I'll have to go for the paid version to get everything.

Thanks again.

The 'paid version' may get you "recoverable' files; that's the catch. I have an old 750 GB HDD that has failed and very few files are recoverable. Fortunately, I am a strong believer in backups and therefore I did not lose any files as the result of the disk failure.

If the old HDD has bad sectors it will be very difficult to recover files. There are professional file recovery services but these services cost about $2,000


Funny how many of my old files were just there, easily copied into the new drive. But a couple of folders from My
Documents turned green and wouldn't let me at them. I understand that's an indication they're encrypted (I think), but I don't know why those files and not others, also from My Documents. And why none of the "take control" tricks have worked.

Anyway. I'll let you know how it plays out.

Thanks
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January 19, 2014 7:13:35 AM

Ubrales said:
phillyt said:
Ubrales said:
Try connecting this disk to another computer and then see whether you can recover any files.

What was the reason for changing the HDD? Did you go with a larger disk? Just curious.


It was 160GB I got with the computer and it seemed like SOOO much capacity at the time. Haha. Anyway, I started getting funny readings (errors/bad sectors) and decided to switch it out before I lost everything.

It's looking like EFS might do the trick, but I'll have to go for the paid version to get everything.

Thanks again.

The 'paid version' may get you "recoverable' files; that's the catch. I have an old 750 GB HDD that has failed and very few files are recoverable. Fortunately, I am a strong believer in backups and therefore I did not lose any files as the result of the disk failure.

If the old HDD has bad sectors it will be very difficult to recover files. There are professional file recovery services but these services cost about $2,000


So, in the end it turns out the EFS got me all the files I was trying to access. I haven't compared their list to the total number of files locked out, but I got what I wanted for now. AND the new files are backed up on an external drive.

Thanks for all your help and good insights!


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January 19, 2014 7:20:30 AM

Excellent! External backups are very important! Both regular and frequent.
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January 19, 2014 7:33:38 AM

Ubrales said:
Excellent! External backups are very important! Both regular and frequent.


Yes, totally agree. My last external drive came with a little program that's supposed to add anything new created or updated...see how that goes.

Also, fwiw, my experience with XP is that it's not a good idea to keep actual documents in the My Document folder because if you have to reinstall Windows OS, it creates a new My Documents folder and wipes out your old one. Another reason to back things up, but I keep nothing in that folder any more.

Thanks
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January 19, 2014 7:41:16 AM

I am not a fan of "Incremental Backups" - I like to backup everything completely. I know that it takes longer time as compared to incremental backup.

By definition, I want my backup to be as secure as possible.
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