I need to break into my own computer

[Richard M]

I recently moved a 200GB drive from one of my computers into my main one because I've sold my fileserver.
I'm planning to reorganize all the media and files on this disk and format a few partitions such as the old c: one (it's now f: )
I tried to access what was my old My Documents folder but it's denying me access due to the NTFS filesystem.
If I right click on the folder I can't see any permissions tab so I need a way to override this, my username on this computer is the same as that computer except that the passwords were different.

Anyone know how I can access the files in this folder?

[jellybaby]

Have you tried accessing them in safe mode?

[Paul]

Can you not access them from the built in administration account? Mind you, is this XP, 2003, Windows ME, 95 etc?

[Richard M]

Both systems used XP Pro.
Not tried safe mode but I doubt if that'll work.

[Paul]

http://www.epinions.com/book-review-...39925901-prod4
http://www.techspot.com/vb/showthread/t-8914.html
Seem to recall an article where people used the recovery console to enable access to protected folders so they could move/ copy them.

[Xaccers]

open up windows explorer, go to tools -> folder options -> view
Scroll to the bottom and make sure "Use simple file sharing" is not ticked
Then right click the folder you want, properties -> security
You may be able to add yourself to it, other wise you'll have to take ownership through the advanced button (sorry I can't remember all the details on how to take ownership in XP off the top of my head)

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

open up windows explorer, go to tools -> folder options -> view
Scroll to the bottom and make sure "Use simple file sharing" is not ticked
Then right click the folder you want, properties -> security
You may be able to add yourself to it, other wise you'll have to take ownership through the advanced button (sorry I can't remember all the details on how to take ownership in XP off the top of my head)

Think that route was mentioned in one of the links in post 5 but is this the stuff you can't remember all the details of?
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to take ownership of a file or a folder where you have been denied access.

If you must access a file or a folder that you do not have access to, you must take ownership of that file or folder. When you do this, you replace the security permissions to have access.

Back to the top

MORE INFORMATION
How to take ownership of a folder
Note You must be logged on to the computer with an account that has administrative credentials. If you are running Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, you must start the computer in safe mode, and then log on with an account that has Administrative rights to have access to the Security tab.

If you are using Windows XP Professional, you must disable Simple File Sharing. By default, Windows XP Professional uses Simple File sharing when it is not joined to a domain.

For additional information about how to do this, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307874 How to disable simplified sharing and set permissions on a shared folder in Windows XP
To take ownership of a folder, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the folder that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
3. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4. In the Name list, click your user name, or click Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or click the Administrators group. If you want to take ownership of the contents of that folder, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
5. Click OK, and then click Yes when you receive the following message:
You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folder name. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?

All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes.
Note folder name is the name of the folder that you want to take ownership of.
6. Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and its contents.
Back to the top
How to take ownership of a file
Note You must be logged on to the computer with an account that has administrative credentials.

To take ownership of a file, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the file that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
3. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4. In the Name list, click Administrator, or click the Administrators group, and then click OK.

The administrator or the Administrators group now owns the file. To change the permissions on the files and folders under this folder, go to step 5.
5. Click Add.
6. In the Enter the object names to select (examples) list, type the user or group account that you want to give access to the file. For example, type Administrator.
7. Click OK.
8. In the Group or user names list, click the account that you want, and then select the check boxes of the permissions that you want to assign that user.
9. When you are finished assigning permissions, click OK.

[Richard M]

Cheers all, will try that later.

[Caspar]

I had the same problem last week..it was solutioned by taking ownership of the files/folders as above

[nffc]

Originally Posted by Paul

Think that route was mentioned in one of the links in post 5 but is this the stuff you can't remember all the details of?
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Have to say, that's a great post- have a greenie!

[Richard M]

Thanks for that, it did the trick!

[Chris]

So presumably Windows XP doesn't come with a Nuclear option (Root)?

[Maggy J]

Ah ANOTHER candidate for MHPOO

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Richard M

Thanks for that, it did the trick!

Amazing what you can find with a google search lol Glad it worked and you can access your files again

[Gareth]

...bit late now (...I'm on my hols right now ,) ) but you could also access all the old stuff by booting your 'puter from a Live Linux CD such as Mandrake Move or Knoppix, as the Linux FS allows you to see the NTFS. Anyway, some very good advice from the others here and glad yer problem's now sorted