can't copy profile , not accessible - access is denied

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On an older desktop running oem XP Home. downloaded some fixes from MS. during down load and installation connection got lost / interupted.. I saw the error message and made the mistake of rebooting... now the OS is completely hosed. Can't even safeboot.. anyway I pulled the HD out and hooked it up to another desktop to copy files off of it...

when I go to Documents and Settings to copy files out of the user profile I get

"not accessible - access is denied" On the old desktop the profile was password protected. So on my current desktop I created an identically named account hoping to fool it, but that didn't work... anyway to get around this so I can retrieve the netscape profile?

 

Did you by chance try booting with the XP cd in and getting to the recovery console, from where you could do a chkdsk? A bit more information as to what does happen when booting may be helpful.



Note to Mod--XP forum?

 

no ad fear...

I give the boot a try, but I was hoping to find a way past the authorization issue where the folder is from the profile of a system where the profile was psw protected..

 

So on my current desktop I created an identically named account hoping to fool it, but that didn't work

It couldn't work. The PC works with accounts based on their SID (that long, ugly, strange looking number you sometimes see) rather than the people-friendly display name of the account.

When you add a new account, you can use the same people-friendly name but the account will have a different SID and the operating system will deal with it based on that.

However, if you have access to the administrator account on the PC you stuck the drive into, you can try booting to safe mode and logging on with the administrator account then 'take ownership' of the folder and you should then have access to it.

 

Taking ownership of files in XP

Johanna

 

Thanks Newt and Johanna, I'll try that tomorrow..

the oem cd is a recovery cd which reformats the hard drive and lays down a fresh copy, which I plan to do if I can recover the files...


I've tried rebooting with my xp cd, got to the recovery console, but then it wouldn't the password for the "computer administrator" account.. no recovery..

wouldn't boot into any of the safe modes, last good recovery point etc..

finally, in VGA mode, the last blue screen stuck around long enough for me to snap a pic so I can get the info..

stop C:000021a fatal system error
0x000000b0 ( 0x000000000 0x000000 )
the system has shut down


anyone have a link to setting the "administrator" password...

I did the Cntl-Alt-Del-Del at the sign-on screen, it brought up "owner" which took me back to the sign-on screen... how can I be sure that's the password the recovery console is looking for? Hey am I hijacking my own thread?

 

Boot up w/ your XP CD and go through the steps as if you're going to do a fresh install. At some point, you will see a menu option to either "Fix this installation of XP" or do a fresh install. Choose the 1st option and see if you have any luck.

 

I have found that often times the Admin password will not be accepted to logon to the recovery console, even if there isn't one, if the system was installed by sysprep image, which is commonly done by OEM's. The workaround is to boot with the XP startup floppies. There is a patch included that fixes the 'bug' causing the problem.

 

Actually, I built the system myself. The OS came from a purchased WinXp Home disk.. no sysprep involved unless it's on the disk..

 

Finally able to get around to "taking ownership of files" and that worked. was also able to set a password for the administrator id...


Thanks Johanna , Newt , and everyone..

 

Dreaded,
Glad you found your fix. Thanks for posting back and letting us know how you did it.

Cheers from chilly Ohio!
Johanna

 

Hey Johanna, Take a quick drive up along the shores of Lake Erie, we have a balmy 67 degrees and all the Boats are going out to do some Walleye and Perch Fishing!!