File Protection Access

[coldfront212]

Hi,

First off I dont know if this is in the correct area or not, but please move if necessary.

Ok, here is the deal, I had a problem with some Creative card drivers that lead my hardrive to be inaccessible whenever I tried to use windows (this was like 2 months ago). I resolved the problem by using Linux FC5 until i could buy another hardrive to install another copy of windows. This was annoying, but w/e it worked.

I am at college, so I had my documents and personal ish secured behind the "make these file private" feature in windows. Well, I have another copy of windows now on another hardrive, and the old copy, while intact is unbootable, so i cant access my old files. I went on the MS knowledgebase and did the safemode and change permissions thing, but that seems to only work on a folder by folder basis. When u have a my documents folder containing over 3000 objects/ files, id really prefer not =).

So what I need to do is get around the windows protection of my files. I have my password and all that stuff, so it isnt even hacking i just cant log in normally courtesy of some sh*tty drivers. :(

The only way ive been successful in this endeavor is to boot my computer into live CD knoppix linux and accessing the files there (no windows services, no protection :-}). I can access them, but linux kernel support for the NTFS file system is limited to read-only...

Also, the total file size we are talking about is ~50GB, not sure thats important. Any additional info u guys need lemme know and ill post it.

Thanks in advance!

-coldfront

[Ob1]

is this xp home? if xp pro, just turn off simple file sharing and you can do all this in normal mode.

if so boot into safe mode with the old drive in slave mode so you can access the files, go to the root my documents folder right click and choose properties, then the security tab, advanced button, ownership tab and take ownership of the files.

next, on the advanced tab check the permissions at the top, you can add the everyone group and give them read, modify or full access or just add you new account with full access and then check the replace all child objects bottom at the bottom to push these rights to all files and folder below the root click apply then ok, then try accessing again.