Can't access profile in 2nd drive 1

[MikeWiz628]

I hooked up a 2nd drive to a machine. On it is the document and settings folder with user profiles from a previous installation. I'm trying to recover some data from it.

However, I'm not allowed access to the machine. This is home edition. Both drives were installed with home.

So, my question is how can I access that profile? There's only one user account on this machine. I believe it's User1. (BTW, this is my Dad's and I'm trying to help him over the phone.)

I was thinking that he wasn't administrator. Is it possible to have a single, non-administrator account?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[Tezzie]

It sounds like your 2nd drive has been formatted to NTFS, therefore its down to security.

You can reset the permissions, but it takes a while.

On the folders properties, go to the security tab. You may get messages about ownership. First, you need to take ownership of the files. Remove all references to previous users, eg, everyone, administrators, or where there's number and letter combinations. Once removed, add yourself or everyone, apply and after some fiddling you should be able to take ownership of all the files.

Tez

 

[wolluf]

You shouldn't be able too (but I think could probably produce that situation). If its a normal installation an Administrator account will have been created during install. So, unless he's renamed it and removed its Adminstrative access level (which I've got a horrible feeling, XP will actually let you do!), there will be an Administrator account on the machine. Hasn't his User1 account got Administrative level access? The obvious thing to do (with Admin access) is to take ownership of the relevant folder(s) & give yourself access.

 

[linney]

In Home, altering permissions or even accessing the Security Tab has to be done while in Safe Mode.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/4/21.asp

 

[MikeWiz628]

Linney,
I just wanted to say that the link you provided was helpful. As soon as I was in Safe Mode, it was a piece of cake. Thanks a mil!!