File Permissions

[bluenoser337]

I connected my hard drive from a failed XP eMachine into a new W7 Dell (via USB adapter) and tried to copy over a folder of data from the old HDD. I started inside a folder and some of the permissions for subfolders got changed, and now it won't let me change the root folder overall permissions. I wish I could start over. How can I get around this mess. I have the username and password from the old system. There are a number of folders that were under a certain user(me) that I need to copy to the new HDD. Gaining the rights (or whatever the correct term is) to these old files almost seems too easy, but it is also easy to mess up the process. Any suggestions welcomed and appreciated.

 

[DrB0b]

Basically all you should have to do is take ownership of the Doc and Settings folder, assuming that is where everything is at, via Right clicking on the Doc folder and select Properties>Security tab>Advanced>Owner tab> and select your Admin or User name after hitting Edit and make sure it carries it to the Sub folders(think there is a check box for that which should already be checked).

"You don't now what you got, till its gone..
80's hair band Cinderella or ode to data backups???

 

[BadBigBen]

Take Ownership of a File or Folder

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753659.aspx

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[linney]

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (or Vista or Win 7)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421/en-us

Error Message: "Access Is Denied" When You Try to Open NTFS File System Folders

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

Add encrypted files to the list of possible reasons for Access Denied.

Use the Vista instructions in this to reset to default the security settings. Use the XP instructions if the drive ends up back in a XP machine.

How do I restore security settings to the default settings?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222/#appliesto

 

[bluenoser337]

Thanks for the assistance. Linney...when I attempt the procedure in "how to take ownership", it starts doing the procedure with one file displayed, as if it is going to go through all the file names...but it stays stuck on that first file all day (an ini file). Neither the old HDD or the PC HDD shows any activity. What can I check or do? If I cancel the procedure, it sits on "cancelling" all day until I force a restart.

 

[linney]

Is the old hard drive still attached to the old XP machine, and if so, is the old XP machine a fully working machine?

Again if so, can you use the Easy Transfer Wizard to get your data off?

How to use Windows Easy Transfer to migrate files and settings from one Windows-based computer to another Windows Vista (or Windows 7) based computer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928634/en-us

Description of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928635/en-us

Transfer files and settings from another computer

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/transfer-files-and-settings-from-another-computer

How to back up or transfer your data on a Windows-based computer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971759

Have you tried running ChkDsk on both machines? Try running ChkDsk to check your drives for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (this will run it in a Read-only mode which is faster) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, restart it by ticking both boxes (slower), and rerun it to allow it to attempt to fix any found problems.

 

[bluenoser337]

Hi linney...no,the original machine has a failed MB. I have the drive from that machine connected to USB, via adapter, on my new W7 PC. When I start the ownership transfer, it sits on the desktop.ini file all day and there is no HDD activity at all. It's driving me crazy. I just want to get back to normal. Microsoft should have a way to enter your old username and password and instantly gain access. Any help is appreciated!! Thanks!!

 

[linney]

Is Windows 7 recognizing the presence of the attached hard drive? Can you access the Security Tab on the attached hard drive? If so does it make any difference if you create an "Everyone" Group or User, and give it Full Control of the attached drive? Can you see the files you wish to copy in Explorer?

What is the file system of the attached drive, NTFS or FAT32, or is it something odd like "RAW"?

Can you run ChkDsk on it? Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (Read-only mode) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, start by ticking both boxes, in any further rerun.

The hard drive manufacturer will have free diagnostic software that is bootable, or that may even run from within Windows, that will thoroughly check the condition of your hard drive.


Use the Vista instructions in this to reset to default the security settings. Look at the Warnings carefully.

How do I restore security settings to the default settings?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222/#appliesto

See if you can use this.

Solving setup errors by using the SubInACL tool to repair file and registry permissions

http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/arch...-to-repair-file-and-registry-permissions.aspx

 

[BadBigBen]

I would suggest that you take the HDD out of the USB caddy/enclosure and hook it directly up to the mainboard...

then, as Linney suggested, run the diag tools on said drive first, before you attempt to take ownership once again...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[bluenoser337]

Thanks BadBigBen, for your reply. I have access to all my files now. Here's what I ended up doing. I used R-Studio software which will "restore" the files from the HDD ignoring security settings (if I tell it to).

 

[BadBigBen]

glad that you solved your problem, and thanks for posting back...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"