Need access to XP My documents

[XA04]

Hi guys,
Long story short, old harddrive partially buggered up... I can read it a bit though... I installed XP on a secondary harddrive, backing up what I can etc - but I can't access 'My documents' or anything like that in the C:\Documents and Settings directory.

Is there anyway around this? I'm really desperate to get in because I have some important things in there that need backing up


Thanks!

[theuncharmed]

I never store anything in My Documents its one of the hardest places to retrieve stuff from so use a normal folder in future.

I've retrieved stuff in the past, but that was with a $30 program. Its called DiskInternals Flash Recovery Version 1.32

Get it here: http://www.DiskInternals.com

there are free programs available but the ones I tried never worked

[XA04]

Yeah, well luckily I had my digicam photo's in a different folder, and I had them on an online gallery anyway... but there is still things I stored in My Documents .

I'll have a look for some free ones, but any help anyone else can give is greatly apreicated, Thanks!

[directhex]

insert drive. right-click on docuemts & settings on old drive. properties. security tab. advanced options. tick assorted "take ownership" boxes, then hit OK. the currently logged on user will become owner of the files.

[XA04]

Right, well I got file scavenger and that has seemed to do the job shareware though..

insert drive. right-click on docuemts & settings on old drive. properties. security tab. advanced options. tick assorted "take ownership" boxes, then hit OK. the currently logged on user will become owner of the files.

Your kidding me right? , Will try that in a minute.

Talk about Windows security!

[Matt1eD]

insert drive. right-click on docuemts & settings on old drive. properties. security tab. advanced options. tick assorted "take ownership" boxes, then hit OK. the currently logged on user will become owner of the files.

When I do XP Pro installations it asks me if I'd like to 'Protect My Documents'. When you do this it locks you out. None of the right-click etc stuff works.

[Splash]

Talk about Windows security!

Bear in mind that this only works if you are logged on as an administrator - a normal user cannot take control of other users' files.

[directhex]

and it needs xp pro (not home)

[BUFF]

and it needs xp pro (not home)

there actually is a way to do this in Home but it's a bit more complicated.

[directhex]

there actually is a way to do this in Home but it's a bit more complicated.

well, yeah, safe mode. but effort sucks

[jesusLOL]

but effort sucks

This coming from someone who by the looks of his location is a linux fanboy

[directhex]

This coming from someone who by the looks of his location is a linux fanboy

yep. some initial effort once, and it just keeps working afterwards.

[XA04]

I couldn't get it to work your way directhex, but I wasn't logged in as Administrator so I guess that's why..

Strange thing is, I've used tons of disk checking programs, and they all say the harddrive is OK. I seem to be able to read it OK, but it just simply won't format... any ideas? or is it just buggered? It's an Hitachi Deskstar and I know their reputation for dieing.

[Splash]

AFAIK the deskstars have been fine since they became Hitachi badged. The Deathstar incident was when they were badged as IBM (iirc at least)

What exactly is it that you need to recover then? Is it XP Home or Pro? Can you try it logging in as an administrator?

Also what error message are you getting? Is it Access Denied or something else?


EDIT - Also if you haven't already you could run the Drive Fitness Tool available from http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

[XA04]

I'll try the drive fitness tool, thanks.

It's Windows XP Pro, I can't login because I can't even boot windows.

No error message when I format, just freezes at 0%.


I managed to backup what I could onto the spare harddrive though.

[GDVS]

Have you tried booting into a Knoppix CD and mounting the drive there?