I need some computer software tech help

JimR · Aug 2, 2006

I hope someone here can help me with this crash. My wife's Dell computer crashed recently while being upgraded by a third party company over the internet. They were trying to straighten out a printing issue with their business software and her business computer. Nevertheless my wife lacks when it comes to backing up anything. Windows XP PRO will not start on this drive. I cannot access the documents and files on the hard drive using another computer (ACCESS DENIED). I believe it is a password issue. I cannot run Safe Mode on this drive nor can I try to restore Windows on it without losing everything. I have installed a new drive in this computer and loaded up Windows XP Pro just as it was loaded on the first drive using the same passwords. I have installed this drive as a slave and still cannot access the needed info that we need to transfer. Does anyone know how to bypass the password on this drive or is there a way to unlock the whole drive? Could I possible remove Windows from this drive without losing the files, documents and emails on it. Another thought I had was to boot the computer into Safe Mode and switch out the drives while it is running. I think that is a bad move (Not Sure though) I've also tried to move and copy these files to other places (ACCESS DENIED again) Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. I have the drive in my Dell computor right now as a slave and still cannot access the files we need.

Doc · Aug 2, 2006

We all learn about backups the hard way at least once ...sometimes twice.

You tried everything I would have tried. Normally with another os you can access the data on the crashed drive. Not being able to see it as a slave is a very bad sign.

Do not try to switch them while running. Not a chance of that working, and lots of chance of frying something else (or yourself).

Have you tried to repair XP? You should be able to install overtop of the current version of XP without loosing data. It only overwrites the system files as long as you do not format the disk during the reinstall.

So 1st I'd try a XP rescue / repair install on the bad XP system. If that fails I'd install a 2nd copy of XP on the same drive, in another location. Do not accept the default location for the install. This is only an option if you have the space.

If none of that works there are companies that recover crashed disks. My wife worked at a company that had to use that service but that was 5 years ago and it was pricey. Maybe those prices have dropped if your lucky.

Good luck with the rescue.

Big Dog · Aug 2, 2006

JimR said:
I hope someone here can help me with this crash. My wife's Dell computer crashed recently while being upgraded by a third party company over the internet. They were trying to straighten out a printing issue with their business software and her business computer. Nevertheless my wife lacks when it comes to backing up anything. Windows XP PRO will not start on this drive. I cannot access the documents and files on the hard drive using another computer (ACCESS DENIED). I believe it is a password issue. I cannot run Safe Mode on this drive nor can I try to restore Windows on it without losing everything. I have installed a new drive in this computer and loaded up Windows XP Pro just as it was loaded on the first drive using the same passwords. I have installed this drive as a slave and still cannot access the needed info that we need to transfer. Does anyone know how to bypass the password on this drive or is there a way to unlock the whole drive? Could I possible remove Windows from this drive without losing the files, documents and emails on it. Another thought I had was to boot the computer into Safe Mode and switch out the drives while it is running. I think that is a bad move (Not Sure though) I've also tried to move and copy these files to other places (ACCESS DENIED again) Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. I have the drive in my Dell computor right now as a slave and still cannot access the files we need.

Oops shoulda finished reading............In my experience your SOL without a program like Mirrors. PBinWA may have an answer!

JimR · Aug 2, 2006

Doc, I tried the Restore function. It was a no go without formatting the drive. I may be able to load another copy of Windows on that drive. But, not being tied to it directly may still stop me from accessing the files we need to save. I may have to do the obvious here and bring it to a specialists to save what I can off of it.

Doc · Aug 2, 2006

Jim,
Mark Minkowski had some very powerful windows utilities offered on his web site. Some were free, others cost.
I just googled for:
'mark minkowski' password cracker utility

but didn't see his web site. Maybe one of our other members knows about his site. I used to have it bookmarked, but I can't find it now.

I'll post it if my memory kicks in.

Doc · Aug 2, 2006

I've saved systems and recovered from nasty viruses by having two OS"s installed on a system. If one gets the virus or has a problem you just boot to the OS number 2. You can access system files from the original OS that you normally can't touch because they are in use.
Just a thought to help prevent these kinds of things.

DaveNay · Aug 2, 2006

If you are feeling adventurous, you can use a bootable Linux distribution like Trinity Rescue Kit. With a bootable distribution like this, you put the HD back in the original PC, and then boot from the CD. You are then presented with a fully functional Linux system, with the ability to access the NTFS partition on the HD.

If you take your time, and read through the tutorial on their web site, you should have no problems.

JimR · Aug 2, 2006

Hi Dave,

Will the Linux system give me access to files that are password protected? I can't even open the documents file as it is locked down. WOAH, I just read that link you posted. That may be just what I am looking for. Yes, I do feel like an adventure is in store for me. Ah, the learning curve. Thanks

DaveNay · Aug 2, 2006

JimR said:
Hi Dave,

Will the Linux system give me access to files that are password protected? I can't even open the documents file as it is locked down. WOAH, I just read that link you posted. That may be just what I am looking for. Yes, I do feel like an adventure is in store for me. Ah, the learning curve. Thanks

Unless the files are protected with some sort of encryption, I am willing to venture that you are simply running up against the access controls that are built into the NT file system. This is what is preventing you from opening the files on another PC. To be honest with you though, your wifes system must have had something non-standard set up on it, because I have swapped hard drives between systems many times, and had no problems reading the files.

Are the files password protected by some sort of application? If so, you will of course need to install that application on whatever PC you are using to open them again.

JimR · Aug 2, 2006

Dave, I thought that I would be able to access those files on my computer as we are running the same software. But for some reason I cannot access her documents, Excell files, Logon, Email or any files listed under her user account. The files do not have individual passwords. Nor do the programs have their own passwords.

I downloaded that program. It reminds me of the old DOS system. I'll have to figure out how to use it.

XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq · Aug 3, 2006

Even if the files are encrypted it may be possible to retrieve the data but it would take a lot of hacking around. Do you have any idea about why these files would be encrypted? Is this a work computer? If so and the encryption was mandated by the IT dept. then they may have some form of backup system already. If this is just a home computer with some business related software on it then you, your wife, or your kids probably turned on the encryption so hopefully they will know what they used.

The default with XP Pro is the Encrypted File System. I believe it can be hacked but I'm not up on it at the moment.

If your absolutely sure that no encryption was used then it could be some form of file system corruption or a strange virus thingy.

Good Luck,

PB

Doc · Aug 3, 2006

JimR said:
Dave, I thought that I would be able to access those files on my computer as we are running the same software. But for some reason I cannot access her documents, Excell files, Logon, Email or any files listed under her user account. The files do not have individual passwords. Nor do the programs have their own passwords.

Jim,
What 'same software' are you both using? Sounds like it is something other than XP encryption. If the master or password part of the software is corupted that might be why you can't open the files. Perhaps reinstalling that software will allow you to view the files. I'm guessing you've tried to copy the files and failed because of the file protection software you have in place.

DaveNay · Aug 3, 2006

Doc said:
Jim,
What 'same software' are you both using? Sounds like it is something other than XP encryption. If the master or password part of the software is corupted that might be why you can't open the files. Perhaps reinstalling that software will allow you to view the files. I'm guessing you've tried to copy the files and failed because of the file protection software you have in place.

That's a really big question....are you running into problems while trying to copy the files, or are you havving problems after copying them to a different HD, and then can't open them in the application?

kensfarm · Aug 3, 2006

Easiest method is to put a second hard drive in the system.. make it your primary drive to boot from.. once you have your operating system installed on the new harddrive.. you will be able to access the "original" harddrive as a secondary drive.. and have access to all the files.

JimR · Aug 3, 2006

I think I can answer all three posts at once. We are running Windows XP Pro on both computers. Encrytion, I don't know on the wife's business computer. We are networked together. I can't open the folders under "HER" user account. There are other files and programs that I can access. I can open, breeze through, copy and move without a problem. It is the files under my wife's user account that I cannot access. Access Denied pops up on every single one of them.

JimR · Aug 3, 2006

Kensfarm, I wish that would work. I already tried it. I even used the same user names and passwords. ACCESS DENIED to any file under my wife's user account. They are locked down tighter than a rat in a steel jaw trap.

DaveNay · Aug 3, 2006

JimR said:
Kensfarm, I wish that would work. I already tried it. I even used the same user names and passwords. ACCESS DENIED to any file under my wife's user account. They are locked down tighter than a rat in a steel jaw trap.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881/

"Access is Denied" Error Message When You Try to Open a Folder

JimR · Aug 3, 2006

Dave, Thanks for the info. I will try that later today. I have green beans to pick now.

kensfarm · Aug 3, 2006

JimR said:
I even used the same user names and passwords.

Have you tried to log in as Administrator.. sounds like the folder/file permissions have been deleted/stripped off.

My green, yellow wax, & purple beans look like crap this year.

DaveNay · Aug 3, 2006

kensfarm said:
My green, yellow wax, & purple beans look like crap this year.

Too much compost man....

JimR · Aug 3, 2006

I spent my day picking beans. Thenthe rest of the day tipping, cooking and freezing them little suckers. Tomorrow is another day.

Kensfarm, I think the files are locked because of the computer identification number. It changes everytime you reload a computer. This screws up any files on other drives. Hopefully tomorrow I can turn over the ownership of the files to my computer. Both of us are logged on as administrator. That doesn't fix the problem.

Doc · Aug 4, 2006

As administrator have you tried to give yourself 'full rights' to the files or even take over ownership?
Still your best bet is probably the link Dave found.
Keep us posted if you get this fixed and how you did it.

JimR · Aug 4, 2006

Doc, That is what I am going to try to do this morning. I hope it works.

kensfarm · Aug 4, 2006

DaveNay said:
Too much compost man....

But I need the compost to mix w/ the rocks... no rain is the biggest problem.. and a plague of grasshoppers & japanese beatles.

JimR · Aug 4, 2006

YAHOO, DaveNav, You friggin Geneuis Wonder Guy, Spontaneous combustion has errupted from my ears from all the excitement of getting the wife's files back. I may just get L--- tonight. Yeeha, Woohoo, Yippee, Up the wazzoo they are all readable and I have control of all of them little hidden suckers. I used the Microsoft information, which I have printed out now, from the link you posted. Thank you so much for that link.

Do you know what really sucks about getting old. I took the Microsoft A+ and Windows 2000 course back in 2000. Those same principles apply to 2000 and XP Pro. I never followed through with the computer field job as the market here plummeted. Systems Anylists were doing A+ work for companies. I couldn't find a job and went in another direction not computer related. I had forgotten all about that. :confused2:

Never again will I be so stupid. :toilet:

Thanks again Dave. :applause:

I need some computer software tech help

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