Trying to get Access to my Hard Drive

Briannichols · Dec 14, 2010

Hello,

My HP laptop died on me. I got the external case for the hard dire. So when I go to access it i always get access is denied. So I went to change the ownership on it it but it always gets stuck on G:\Program Files\Common Files\System\abo\msado20.tIb. I was wondering what else I can do to try and get access to my files i got everything on it.

Brian

Lottiemansion · Dec 15, 2010

Hi,

If you are just trying to access your documents etc.

Just take control of the "Users" folder "Your logon name" as this is where all your document files are!

This will then leave the system files as they are.

Lorien · Dec 16, 2010

Hi Brian,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

The key is permissions, not ownership (though that too may be necessary and certainly can't hurt). You need to be logged in as an Administrator to do this. Also, first go to Start / Control Panel / Folder Options / View and check the button to show hidden files and folders and uncheck the box to hide system files and uncheck the box to hide extensions of known file types (not all required - but the best way to have it setup and while you're at it you might as well make sure all three are made right).

As Lottie said, if access to your documents, pictures, audios, videos, favorites, downloads and such is all you're interested in, then just go to E:\ (or whatever the external drive is lettered) Users\<username> (the one on that drive) and right click and click on properties and then click on security. At the top, add your CURRENT user account and give it full rights. Then click on Advanced and in the Special Permissions section below, do essentially the same thing (and be sure to check the box to apply it to all sub-directories and files). Then click on the Ownership Tab and make your CURRENT user account the owner (and again check the box to apply it to all sub-directories and files). Save everything as you go along. When done, you should have access and given the folders you selected you should not have any access problems or have it get stuck.

Here's some additional information on permissions and ownership in case you run into troubles or want to learn more about the process as it may come in useful again:

To see your permissions, right click the folder/file, click on properties, and check out the security tab. Check to see what permissions you have by clicking on your username (or user group). Here are the types of permissions you can have: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-are-permissions. You need to be an administrator or the owner to change permissions (and sometimes being an administrator or even an owner isn't enough - there are ways to block even them from access (though a smart administrator knows these ways and can get around them - but usually shouldn't because they were denied access usually for a very good reason). Here's how to change folder permissions in Vista: http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-vista/set-file-folder-permissions-vista/. To add take and grant full right permissions and ownership to the right click menu (which will make it faster to get in once it is set up), check out the following article: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/05/21/take-and-grant-full-control-permissions-and-ownership-in-windows-7-or-vista-right-click-menu/.

To fix this problem with the folders, take ownership of the folders or the drive (as an administrator) and give yourself full rights. Right click the folder/drive, click on properties, go to the security tab and click on Advanced and then click on the Owner tab. Click edit and then click the name of the person you want to give ownership to (you may need to add it if it isn't there - or it may be yourself). If you want it to apply to sub-folders and files within that folder/drive, then check the box for replace owner on sub-containers and objects and click OK. Back out and now there's a new owner for the folders/drive and files who can change permissions as needed. Here's more information on taking ownership of a file or folder: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html. To add take ownership to the right click menu (which will make it faster to get in once it is set up), check out the following article: Context Menu - Take Ownership.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Trying to get Access to my Hard Drive

Briannichols

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Lottiemansion

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Lorien

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