Computer File Recovery?
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Computer File Recovery?
My sister's kid didn't like the way their computer was working so he reinstalled the operating system using the recovery program. Now, nobody can find their pictures, music, etc.
I did a search and it looks like there are some pretty big folders hidden away in there but I just can't get to them. I can also find the old user accounts but I get "access denied" when I try to look at them - even when going in through a Command Prompt (DOS dinosaur here). I am set up as the Administrator.
Any experts in file recovery that can point me in the right direction? I have three highly upset teenagers counting on me - and one really P.O.'d little sister who needs this chaos like she needs a hole in her head.
Thanks in Advance.
Ray
I did a search and it looks like there are some pretty big folders hidden away in there but I just can't get to them. I can also find the old user accounts but I get "access denied" when I try to look at them - even when going in through a Command Prompt (DOS dinosaur here). I am set up as the Administrator.
Any experts in file recovery that can point me in the right direction? I have three highly upset teenagers counting on me - and one really P.O.'d little sister who needs this chaos like she needs a hole in her head.
Thanks in Advance.
Ray
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: North Alberta
Well, everytime I have had to use a recovery program and re-install windows, it clears EVERYTHING. Sorry, but the best bet is usually back up music and pictures on either cds/dvds or transfer to another computer. What operating system edition are you running? Hopefully you can get your documents still, with the help of another here, these are just my experiances.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
The machine is running XP.
I can find some of the old user names and they have data in them - the most important one has 6.5GB of data in it but it won't let me in there.
I know all about backup - all my important stuff is backed up on two other computers on a weekly basis. My sister and her kids aren't as good about it.
I have looked at a couple of those undelete programs but haven't downloaded any yet. I don't want to write anything to the disk yet.
I can find some of the old user names and they have data in them - the most important one has 6.5GB of data in it but it won't let me in there.
I know all about backup - all my important stuff is backed up on two other computers on a weekly basis. My sister and her kids aren't as good about it.
I have looked at a couple of those undelete programs but haven't downloaded any yet. I don't want to write anything to the disk yet.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Northeast of Toronto.
Originally Posted by Nitramjr
I have three highly upset teenagers counting on me - and one really P.O.'d little sister who needs this chaos like she needs a hole in her head.
Thanks in Advance.
Ray
Thanks in Advance.
Ray
I've been through it and in the end the computer was shipped off to a computer store for them to do what they could. I had put all my music CD's on my computer so I could burn mixed CD's, 1400 songs, which had to be redone.
I was not a happy camper and sadly I can offer you no help.
Last edited by CowboyPenner; Mar 28, 2006 at 12:55 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: MI
Originally Posted by Nitramjr
I can find some of the old user names and they have data in them - the most important one has 6.5GB of data in it but it won't let me in there.
were you set up as the administrator on the previous load?
have you tryied to access while in safe mode?
brainstorming here, no expert, just been having some luck with solving computer problems here, maybe it will rub your way....
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Sounds like you just need to log in as Administrator and change the permissions on the old folders. You just locked yourself out. Not a big deal.
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
Likes: 82
From: MA
Originally Posted by Nitramjr
I did a search and it looks like there are some pretty big folders hidden away in there but I just can't get to them. I can also find the old user accounts but I get "access denied" when I try to look at them - even when going in through a Command Prompt (DOS dinosaur here). I am set up as the Administrator.
There are directions on Microsoft's website.
I usually remove the Hard Drive and plug it into my machine running Win 2000. Then I take ownership and it lets me in to the files.
The problem is the User database does not recognize any current user as the owner of those files. Therefore it will lock everyone out. Even if you have admin rights.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by donjamer
What version of XP? if it is PRO you need to take ownership of the files. You can't do it with Home.. You can do it with WIN 2000 also..
There are directions on Microsoft's website.
I usually remove the Hard Drive and plug it into my machine running Win 2000. Then I take ownership and it lets me in to the files.
The problem is the User database does not recognize any current user as the owner of those files. Therefore it will lock everyone out. Even if you have admin rights.
There are directions on Microsoft's website.
I usually remove the Hard Drive and plug it into my machine running Win 2000. Then I take ownership and it lets me in to the files.
The problem is the User database does not recognize any current user as the owner of those files. Therefore it will lock everyone out. Even if you have admin rights.
Will check MS web site. Thanks.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
I talked to our IT guy here at the office and he suggested pulling the drive out and hooking it to another computer as a second drive and copying the files off that way (as donjamer suggested). He also showed me a neat little adapter that lets you convert an IDE drive to a USB external drive. It comes with a power supply and an adapter so all you do is plug it into the drive and the other computer and it sees it as an external drive. Now all I have to do is talk him into letting me borrow it......
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: State of Misery (Missouri
And please remind them, the RESTORE disk is not an upgrade disk, or a fix all disk. It is to RESTORE THE COMPUTER TO THE WAY IT WAS when they took it out of the box. This is the reason for backups, and the reason recovery people make tons of money. (I'd show them what people bill, then explain how much cheaper a backup is).
Then go buy a tshirt that says, No, I will not fix your computer.
Then go buy a tshirt that says, No, I will not fix your computer.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
Likes: 82
From: MA
Originally Posted by Nitramjr
I talked to our IT guy here at the office and he suggested pulling the drive out and hooking it to another computer as a second drive and copying the files off that way (as donjamer suggested). He also showed me a neat little adapter that lets you convert an IDE drive to a USB external drive. It comes with a power supply and an adapter so all you do is plug it into the drive and the other computer and it sees it as an external drive. Now all I have to do is talk him into letting me borrow it......
Second Make sure you are using either a WIN XP or 2000 to copy the files of. If you try it with Home then you won't get very far.
Third You can buy those enclosures at Compusa for $39.00
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mikebon08
General NON-Automotive Conversation
15
Aug 6, 2006 06:08 PM
bodabdan
General NON-Automotive Conversation
7
Nov 30, 2005 08:41 AM