Lost Data Becouse Of Windows Reinstall

I have a big problem, hope you can help me.I had windows, and I had my documents protected, so if my sister uses the pc with her other account, she wouldn't be able to see them.Everything ok, untill I got this horrible virus, and I had to install windows in my other HD partition. And when I go to the documents and settings folder (of the old windows installation), the folder with my documents is there, but I try to open it and it says "Access Denied".Anyone knows how I can recover those files?

You might want to try to use one of the following tools:

 

- http://www.diskinternals.com/files/NTFS_Reader.exe - This is a program that enables win 98 to read protected NTFS partitions, so if you got a win98 disc lying around...

 

- http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ - Allows you to read that partition

 

- http://www.ntfs.com/products.htm - same as above

 

http://www.ubcd4win.com/ - this is a boot cd also, in case above things don't work

 

Good luck with it

 

 

Combined Two posts - vujsa

Edited March 16, 2005 by vujsa (see edit history)

I have a big problem, hope you can help me.

I had windows, and I had my documents protected, so if my sister uses the pc with her other account, she wouldn't be able to see them.

Everything ok, untill I got this horrible virus, and I had to install windows in my other HD partition. And when I go to the documents and settings folder (of the old windows installation), the folder with my documents is there, but I try to open it and it says "Access Denied".

Anyone knows how I can recover those files?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How are you coming along with this?

 

The method to protect documents should not stop Administrators, the Administrator should be able to either access it, or actually take ownership of it. There's no Windows way to prevent an Administrator, even if the other user is also an Administrator from looking into the directory.

 

I think you just give yourself permission to view it, or some means. Hopefully you'll figure this out.

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

MC

Was the folder portected with encryption, or just access rights ?
it its access rights, you can get around this with a recue cd capable of reading NTFS.

Here's an instruction on how to do it with DamnSmallLinux
http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/

But Linux NTFS write support is still un-stable. (reading is fine)
so you may want to copy your files onto a cd, thumbdrive, or upload to FTP for downloading on your new windows disk.

DamnSmallLinux boots entirely off cd, you dont need to install it, its a 50mb download, i dont know how fast your internet connection is, but with broadband it shouldnt take too long.

if it was encrypted and you did not save your key, you are screwed.Update you AV software tou numbnut

Ehhh... encrypted? no idea.I just protected my user account with password and it asked me if I wanted to protect my documents so other users can't see them, and I clicked yes.I think (hope) that is only acces rights, and if it was encrypted, I never saw any encription key or anything like that.

All you have really done is used windows user security to prevent others from seeing what you have on the computer. But like mastercomp said the admin login can bypass this security.You as a user do not have administrator security level assigned to you on your computer.1) Go into control panel then select user accounts.2) That window will show what level security you have and if a password is set.3) You can select from the list “change my account type” and make yourself computer admin.If for any reason you want to login as the default administrator? In the user accounts select “change the way users log on or off. In this window uncheck “use the welcome screen” and it will switch to classic mode so when the login screen comes up you can type in the user login name plus password. In this case you will type in administrator and click login if you did not setup a password for the admin or type in the password you set.The other way you will get “access denied” is if the file is being used by a program at the same time you’re trying to move it.Make sure all programs are closed when you try to move files well except for windows explorer, also extensions.

All you have really done is used windows user security to prevent others from seeing what you have on the computer.  But like mastercomp said the admin login can bypass this security.

 

You as a user do not have administrator security level assigned to you on your computer.

1) Go into control panel then select user accounts.

2) That window will show what level security you have and if a password is set.

3) You can select from the list âchange my account typeâ and make yourself computer admin.

 

If for any reason you want to login as the default administrator?  In the user accounts select âchange the way users log on or off.  In this window uncheck âuse the welcome screenâ and it will switch to classic mode so when the login screen comes up you can type in the user login name plus password.  In this case you will type in administrator and click login if you did not setup a password for the admin or type in the password you set.

 

The other way you will get âaccess deniedâ is if the file is being used by a program at the same time youâre trying to move it.

 

Make sure all programs are closed when you try to move files well except for windows explorer, also extensions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just adding a tip for people who use the Welcome Screen and it doesn't display the Administrator login, to get to classic mode without changing it as Rudy suggested just do Ctrl+Alt+Del (twice) at the Welcome Screen and you'll get the login prompt instead on reboot or log out, you'll be back at the Welcome Screen so no changes were made,

 

Won't this restart my computer? Well, I could just be lying right, pulling a prank on people, but do you really think I would do this? Oh by the way WinXP only...

 

MC

I tried that and it didn't work... :)My accout is already as system admin. I tried logging as admin from safe mode and it still didn't work... =(

i have this very same problem! i have done exactly what you have done before. what i had was a virus too, or a small problem so i had to reinstall the system again. right.firstly what i did was backup all my documents and stuff. i had so much stuff i couldnt do it all! so what i did, i made another folder in the c: directory like "BACKUPS". i copied or moved every single thing i still wanted on my computer or it would be removed when i install the fresh system.when i did that i installed the new windows xp partition. once it had been installed, adding all the new drivers or updating them, i searched or locate for the documents i have backed up on the infected system.once i found the files and documents i moved it to the new partition, it just copied itself onto the new partition with no problems at all. no password, no nothing at all what so ever.so to solve your problem. if you still have access to the infected system move your documents to the root directory in a new folder. then reboot your computer to the new partition scan the documents just in case there are any infected documents, you dont want to spread it into your new partition do you?so when it all in the clear you can move your documents to the new partition.so i hope it helps you!

I can't do anything to the folder with the files. Move, Open, Copy... nothing..I think I'll try copying the files from DOS.Eh... anyone can tell me how to rename a folder, and how to copy files in DOS please?

Please? anyone?I'll format my disk soon and I still can't get back those files.

Hi Vagodeoz,
here's the link to DOS command line commands.. see the "rename" command.
dos commands.
BEFORE you go renamning files with DOS.. make sure you have tried recovering the files with LInux boot/recovery disk. That's the easiest & safest way. DO THAT FIRST!!!!!!!!!!
Re-naming files with dos should be reserved as a very last resort.
Hope this helps
RGPHNX

Yahoo!!! I finally did it!I used "DiskInternals NTFS Reader" (in case anyone has the same problem)It worked like a charm. Thanks a lot!

There's an easier way to do this. You have to take ownership of the directories in the new installation on XP.Ok, here's how you do it.1> Open up Windows Explorer. Go to "Tools" and then to "Folder Options". Click on the "Veiw" tab and look for "Use simple file sharing (Recommended)". Uncheck it and click the "Ok" button.This will open up more sharing & security options.2> Locate the directory that you're trying to access in Windows Explorer. Right click on it and scroll to "Sharing and Security...". You could also go to "Properties" to get there.Go to the "Security" tab. Look for the "Advanced" button at the bottom (just above the "Apply" button) then look for the tab that says "Owner". and click on it.In the 'Current Owner of this item:' field you should see a bunch of code like numbers & letters.In the area below you should see your new account (Username) and "Administrators". Select your user name or the "Administrators", or which ever User you want to take over the directory.Just below that user list Check the box that says "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects". Then click the "Ok" button. Once you click the "Ok" button you should see the files & folder changing over. It may take a few minutes, depending on how many files & folders are there.3> Once the changing over finishes, go back to the main security window and add full access permission to either your Username or to "Everyone".Now you should have all access to the directory and all the folders in it.