OT: Another computer problem

[Lobster]

Can I jump on the bandwagon? ;-)

I installed a new bigger hard disk in my PC a few months back, and left the old one in place as a slave for future use. The old HD still has all the old files in place at the moment (haven't used it since the install).

Now, I'd quite like to ressurect an old version of a file saved in old My Documents folder. So, I went to drive H:\ (which is the old drive C:\) and opened Documents and Settings; wherein as expected I could see the usual folders for Administrator, All Users, and David. However, when I tried to open the David folder, I get "Access Denied". All the other folders opened OK.

My account was and still is the admin account (named David), and didn't/doesn't need a password to access it.

So what gives?!

David

[Ron Lowe]

When you re-istalled windows to your new HDD, the user you created ( David ) is not the same user 'David' that existed on the old install.

Windows does not look at the username as such. Behind the username is a number, called the SID. New David has a different SID to old David.

So the folders on the old HDD that belonged to David actually belonged to a different SID than your new self. As far as windows is concerned, you are different users.

You ( the new david ) need to 'take ownership' of the files which are currently owned by the old David.

Details on Vista here, but XP is similar... Browse to the Documents and Settings directory, and find the David folder. Right-click it, and select properties. Security tab, Advanced button. In Advanced window, Owner tab. Current owner will likely show as a long number ( The old SID, no longer recognised. ). There is an Edit button to let you change ownership. Select the David account Check the option to "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects' OK it.

[geoff]

In message , Lobster writes

Well, personally, I wouldn't have my documents etc in the windows default locations in the first place

I always stick them on a separate HD so that whatever happens to the OS, I can easily transfer MY data

especially when you can buy a 500gig HD for £50-60 now

[Ron Lowe]

If you are on XP and my instructions from Vista don't seem to map over obviously, post back and I'll crank up an XP machine and give detailed instructions.

[LSR]

You may need to turn off "simple file sharing" which is usually enabled by default. Otherwise you don't get the Security tab in folder properties.

[Stuart Noble]

I don't trust anything with moving parts. I have a 2.5" battery powered HD enclosure but the thing has such a smooth, slippery case I just know I'm going to drop it one day.

[Rod]

Blu-Tack is (or could be) your friend here! A dob on the drive housing stops it sliding onto the floor. Mostly. (I got away with dropping mine about 3 feet onto a wooden floor.)

[Stuart Noble]

That's a thought. I wondered about thick rubber bands too. I could probably just about avoid the screen and the sockets. Very hi-tech :-)

[Lobster]

Thanks a lot for the replies - I'd found the Security tab missing under XP, and after some googling, discovered it after temporarily booting in Safe Mode, and have got my file back!

David

[Mike Barnes]

Another possibility is racquet grip tape. It's self-adhesive, grippy, and (crucially) comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns.

[Stuart Noble]

Crucial indeed! I must have the right colour :-) Thanks, that has to be the best bet I reckon.

[geoff]

I wasn't talking about an external HD

[Stuart Noble]

Still has moving parts. I prefer dvd

[Dave Liquorice]

And how does the pickup track the spiral of pits and the lens focus said pits without "moving parts"? Indeed how does the disc rotate in the first place...

[Stuart Noble]

The item containing my data has no moving parts. I suspect you gathered that

[geoff]

... what are you on about DVDs for ?

not sure whether you are missing the point on purpose

I'm not talking about backup, I'm talking about saving/ storage

i.e. NOT in mydocuments, but on a different drive e.g D:\Docs or whatever

That way, if there is a problem with the OS or whatever, all documents and other information is separated

[Stuart Noble]

Put them where you like

[geoff]

In message , Stuart Noble writes

... except on a DVD