Access to Hard disk?

[m33sta]

Bonjourno!! Ok firstly I admit it I've messed up, but lets not get into that ( I know what I did wrong ) offset is I need to re-install Windows XP. Not an issue in its self but before I do so I have some info I want to retrieve from said hard disk, again not a problem just hook it up to another machine as a slave and drag the files across, only one problem its in mydocuments/m33sta/desktop and my account was password protected so Im assuming its going to give me the message "Access denied" when I navigate to the folder. I know the account name and obviously the password for the account, is there a way to access the file I want, by the way the file is just a notepad document but it has some important info on it. ( you may have already guessed but the info on the notepad is my product key!!!!!), help as I dont want to pay for XP twice. thanks in advance.

 

[bcastner]

Assert Ownership:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/q308/4/21.asp&NoWebContent=1

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q823306

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Users Helping Users

 

[barny2006]

is your file system ntfs or fat32?

 

[linney]

Do you have your Product Key fixed by label to your XP CD, or on the machine (tower)? Where did you get the Product Key from originally to insert it into Notepad?

Reading this thread may give you a few ideas.

Cannot logon to winxp...losing lots of valuable documents
thread779-975236

 

[m33sta]

Thanks guys, Bcaster will give it a go. Barny2006 that would be an NTFS filling system, and Linney I lent my disk to a friend who had one of those Mesh/Dell type machines that dont come with the XP disk but have the product key on the side of the machine and he gave it back to me in a clear plastic wallet not the original paper wallet with my serial key on and I extracted the key from my machine when it working. Once again thanks.

If you dont ask you wont get
Steve Poole
Technical Analyst
Cinram UK ltd

http://WWW.cinram.com

 

[satrow]

m33sta - Steve, your friend with the Dell (not sure but it should also apply to Mesh) should have been able to create a system restore disc (read OEM XP install) from software on the hard disk. If it only had the drivers and i386 folders, it would still be possible to create one but a little Googling and a few (boot-related?) files would be needed. Details on the the Dell software would have been on a CD insert sized piece of card (just the sort of thing that get's thrown away ... ).

Good luck with the recovery (Would a PE boot CD help in this instance - or a 'live' Linux disc?).

 

[linney]

Without your Product Key doing a repair installation or any installation may be impossible, it is bound to ask for the key at some stage.

The link I mentioned earlier should lead you in to BartPE, with this you should be able to recover your Notepad file.

You could try this procedure to see if it gets you going.

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

This is a layman's version of Q307545 in simple language.


To replace a CD or Product Key, you must contact PSS. To locate the appropriate phone number for your product, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

326246 - How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[bcastner]

KeyFinderPE 1.41 Will find your Windows installation key, the included version works in PE

I know it is included in UBCD. Should be available to Bart as well.

http://www.ubcd4win.com/

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Users Helping Users

 

[m33sta]

Thanks Peops emergency over I have my product key back again and will be re-installing tonight