Permissions problem

[Stokes]

This problem has thrown me big time. I am just getting my computer back up and running installing adaware, spybot, kerio personal firewall and AVG antivirus.

Now I'm not too sure what is going on. For some reason it just immediatly locked me out of all adminstrative access. Anything I try and access that is basicly for an administrator it won't let me do it. It says:

"CONTROL PANEL:
Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

I own the computer so I should have access to anything I want . I don't have a network, I have a broadband connection.

Any help would be very useful.

Thanks

[Sixpack]

What OS do you have? If it's XP try going to start, programs, administrative tools, computer managment. Click on system tools, local users and groups and then users. From there go into the properties of each user and check the box for password never expires. I think this is what your looking for. If not, post back with your system specs and a little more info as to what you are trying to do when your being denied access.

[Stokes]

Sorry about that,

I have Windows XP Pro,

I have checked all those settings and in both User and Administrator the password never expires is both checked So I thought I would uncheck them to see if that worked and it didn't.

When I right click on My Computer then go to properties this is when the permissions error kicks in. Or basicly when ever I do something that might change the system.

This is really strange, I have a feeling it might be something to do with all the software I downloaded.

[Stokes]

Ok I found the problem. It was a problem with my firewall. For some reason it was denying me accesss. I turned off my firewall then I could access anything I wanted. I just changed all the permissions to ask first and was able to set permissions that way.

Hope this helps anyone in the future

[Sixpack]

Thanks for the update. I'm sure that it may help someone. I learned something

[Mhollinr]

I know this is an older thread, but I am having similar problems.

I have 2 80gig Seagate HDD's (SATA). I moved my important docs and files over to my second HDD (not my system drive) I then did a complete re-install of Windows XP Pro for various reasons. When I was all said and done with the re-install and with the updates, I tried to get to the files on my second hard drive (D and it gives me the following error:

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

My account is set up as an administrator, but even if I log in under 'Administrator' I get the same message. I have all the updates, and all the drivers that came with my mobo (P4P800 Deluxe)

I tried some of the things mentioned above and still no help. Anyone have any idea what this is?

Thanks in advance.

[glc]

You have to take ownership of all the folders and files on the D drive - the wipe and reinstall has changed your security descriptors.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...308421&sd=tech

[Mhollinr]

Thank you, it worked great!

[Mhollinr]

OK, I may have been a bit hasty in saying it worked great. I had a few different folders on that second HDD. I did what you said for one folder to get some important files I needed after the re-install. A while later, I tried it with the other folders and it gives me the same error, the origional folder I did still lets me access it, no problems there, just with the others now.

I have messed around with the permissions so much in the last week that I may have changed something inadvertantly and am just overlooking it.

Is there a way to wipe the permissions completely and re-take ownership? I think I've tried it, but nothing seems to work. I even created a new admin account from scratch and made that new account the owner thinking maybe I messed something up with my normal account, but it didn't work either.

I would hate to lose these files but I know that if I re-formatt the D: drive I can start over from scratch. I was able (as I mentioned before) to change the permissions on the one IMPORTANT folder and retrieve that. Any ideas why it works for some folders and not others?


Thanks,
Mhollinr

[DougL]

You have probably set up the top level folder change permission but this has not propagated down to your files, i still use the winfile.exe to change permissions as i find this easier to use it works on XP, i can send you a copy if you want. using winfile i set change permissions to a folder and tell it to replace on all sub folders and sub directories, once this action is complete you should be able to access and change any folder/file within that main folder.

Doug

[Mhollinr]

What exactly is "winfile.exe?"

[DougL]

Its used in NT4, i find it easier to use when setting permissions, creating folders etc. It is perfectly safe to use, i just keep it on my flashdrive and run it from there when needed. You can either download from the web or i can send you a copy.

Doug

[Mhollinr]

I couldn't find anywhere to get it, if you could send it to me that would be great.

[DougL]

try here

Doug

[Mhollinr]

I didn't find it there, or anywhere else for that matter. you sure it's ok to pass that file around? I would like to try it but don't want to break any rules.....

[DougL]

Hi Mhollinr

Its on that website on line 71, the second column. yes it is just an explore type interface used in NT4, it is similar to Powerdesk. I'm sure you'll find it easy to set permissions etc.. you won't be breaking any rules in downloading and using it. Come back if you have any problems.

Doug

[Mhollinr]

Well, I appreciate you finding it for me, however, I ran it and tried to change the permissions and even winfile didn't help! It shows that I'm the owner, but it won't let me access the files??????

I'm lost.

[DougL]

Using winfile i would start from the top again, take ownership of the whole drive and then work your way down through the folders/files. As the owner you should have full control over the whole drive.

Doug