That's right, not OT because I need all my links, saved pics, and tech baloney that I post here. I am talking years of favorites and tech stuff.

Background: my CPU finally failed in my desktop, bad fan. I decided to upgrade rather than replace. I went with Vista this time around, though I hate it, but XP is on it's way out. There has been a few issues with my upgrade and hence my absence here.

Problem: all of my files are still intact on my old hard drive under my XP administrator password. I cannot copy those to my new Vista OS drive as they are password protected. How do I crack this password thing and transfer them?

Techie stuff: I now have a SATA HD and the old one is PATA. I have tried booting up to the old HD but I have Vista drivers in the new MB BIOS. I can see the files on the EIDE HD but can do nothing with them under Vista. I am sure this is Microsoft limited install BS because when I tried to boot to the original HD first under XP drivers, the OS did not see the registered machine and gave me the famous no OS screen.

So, I may need to remove the SATA (Vista), install XP BIOS flash, boot to the old XP install and do a reinstall on new machine? Then save to DVD??? Lame. Ideas???

No backup comments please. I know all about it and elected to forego because I felt I did not need to, and I did not because all my files are still intact. I just need to get to them and looking for quickest easiest way.

Thanks guys/gals.

 

Whats the chance of just replacing the old cpu and get it that way. I know you have probably thought of that already,but thats all I can come up with.

 

Mike I sent a PM to donjamer. He is a comp tech. Hopefully he'll be able to help you out.

 

Mike do you have the old drive installed on the new PC internally or via usb??

Also what version of Vista you running?? Home, Business, or Ultimate??

 

Didn't even want to spend the $20 for it because the whole assembly is getting old. That is my last ditch effort though Scott.

Thanks Jim.

For those wondering, I upgraded to a new MB with 4GB of ram and I wanted to go hybrid SLI because I am not really a gamer, but want something that will be quasi-up to date for a while. That requires Vista. My first XFX 9800GT video card was DOA. Chit. I have a EVGA enroute as we speak. I know it is basically a 8800GT with a few bells and whistles. I am using on board graphics for now. 4GB of shared ram with on board graphics blows my old system away even with the discrete AGP card I had. Can't wait for the new graphics card.

Did you know, per a guy at Best Buy, about 1 out of 6 graphics cards are defective out of the box? WTH is that?

 

Vista home premium. Old HD is an internal unit not connected at present but in the machine. Simple process of connecting via eide cable when I want and reboot. Thanks for any help Don.

 

Mike.. if all else fails.. let me know.. If you wan tot get your harddrive up to me.. I will brown nose the IT guy at my shop.. or my brother in law.. and get something going fo ryou.. If it is my brother in law.. no worries.. if it is the IT guy in my shop.. you will owe me big GOD IS HE A PAIN IN THE ****!!!

 

What you need to do is go into the security settings for the directory and take ownership of it..

The files need the security settings reset to make them readable..

Here are some instructions..

Troubleshoot "access denied" when opening files or folders - Windows Vista Help

Let me know if it doesn't work..

 

Don, I have tried looking at the files on the old HD and see no way to log in as the admin and look at them. I am thinking I may need to disconnect the Vista HD, plug in the older XP one, boot to the XP install CD or the Vista one, and maybe upgrade while saving my stuff. Then I could transfer the settings. I was really hoping to just drag and drop.

Anyone know how many times you can install windows Vista/XP before it locks you out via registration? Retarded isn't it?

 

Mike, Did you try the instructions I sent??

It is real easy to take ownership..

 

Donjamer that is great info.
This looks like what needs to be done.

To take ownership of a folder
1. Right-click the folder that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.

2. Click the Security tab, click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.

3. Click Edit. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

4. Click the name of the person you want to give ownership to.

5. If you want that person to be the owner of files and subfolders in this folder, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.

6. Click OK.

 

No, I admit I did not. I read the links and did not see what I thought I remember when I was trying last time. I may try it but, do you think it would be easier to try to connect the old HD and try the upgrade version of Vista install, then transfer the stuff to the new HD? It took me 10+ hours to get fully installed and updated with Vista on a clean install.

How many times can I install either OS? I'd hate to miss some files doing it manually. Thanks.

 

You can do it that way, but taking ownership is easier..

If you do that windows XP will need to install all the new hardware it detects, Then you will have to copy the files to a cd,dvd, or flashdrive to get them to the other drive.. You will also have to remove the passwords before hand..

Another problem is that the windows XP may not work seeing that you have new hardware... The product activation may detect the change and disable xp until you register it again..

Just try the instructions in the link or from the Post Kwik wrote.. It is the same steps..

If you want i can PM my phone number and you can call and I can walk you through it..

 

Thanks Don/Dan. I will be offline for a bit, obviously.

 

If that doesn't work, let us know what kind of processor your old one is. I have a spare older processor or two laying around that you could use if it's the same... They're AMD -- I don't play Intel. LOL....