Quick Question.. I recently took the hard drive from my old computer and installed it in a newer one. I am trying to pick all my old files off the hard drive and put them on my new one. The problem is. I used to have a password to get into my old computer and I cant get into my personal files.. When I clock on my folder called "COD" (which is the user name that I used the password to start up windows on my old computer), it gives me an access denied message.. Just curious if there is any other way around this?? Thanks
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Getting Old Files?!
- Thread starter caddy39
- Start date
You apparently put a Windows lock inplace where now you could try a password recovery tool to see if that would allow access(???). The copying of files through a command prompt would take longer then most would have the patience and stamina for(an eternity). The Live cd versions of Linux could offer an alternative to gain access to and copy files from the old drive. If you knew someone familiar with Linux or have iso image burning software you can spend less time downloading the 500-600mb iso images for a Live distro and get familiar with GUI there then you would going through a command prompt. Knoppix Live for dvd also offers a cd iso image and is one recommendation often seen for data retrieval off of drives that become inaccessible. KNOPPIX - Live Linux Filesystem On CD
Alright. so I am not completely computer illiterate.. but is there a simple way of doing this?? was that the simple way cause it was kinda over my head.. which leaves me in a crappy position.. AS for making an image.. i am not sure if that is possible.. I tried to copy and paste the folder to my desktop and it wont grant me access to do that.. i know the password that is needed.. is there a way to open it up using a password.. ??? I would make iy my master drive on boot up and boot my computer from it but the drive is kinda screwed and needs to be reformatted.. So basically I cant get into it..
You could master it to run in strictly safe mode to see if you could then copy the files you want to the other drive. That would be a much faster means. I know that Linux even a Live distro is awkward at times. I've run a few distros along with Windows on a second drive. But don't rule that out either since Knoppix can also go where XP can't. And a 98 startup floppy and dos prompt also fail. A repair install for the quick extraction of your files without wiping the drive could be another thought there. Once the files were copied off of the drive wipe it clean.
i cant even run the old hard drive in safemode.. doesnt get that far before it gives the old.. " missing critical file".. I got into recovery once and it did its thing.. then I still couldnt run it in safemode... if only i didnt put a password on that thing.. as for Knoppix.. i have no clue what it is.
Last edited:
Do you have an installation disk? When Windows is prevented from starting by something unknown you can perform what they call an "install to repair" that leaves the current files and folders intact. http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm You could use this if you were running XP if that is the version of Windows you are running. Once Windows was running again you could use the password recovery tool hopefully at that time. For another version you would have to manually delete the Windows directory(2000) or overwrite the current installation when reinstalling(9X-ME). That would also overwrite the MyDocuments folder. The use of a Live Linux distro surprisingly is the faster and easier method use you get accustomed to the GUI. If the files were encrypted then you would have another problem to solve. But the files would be intact on the new drive.