Help - Security Issue with XP

[BuddyBoy]

My first post - and it's nothing to do with diving...

I've upgraded the RAM in my wife's laptop and fitted a much larger hard disk. XP installed and updated OK. My plan was to put the old hard disk into an external enclosure and drag across the Outlook pst file(s) and any other data files that she still wants - and this is where I'm struggling. XP's security features won't allow me access to the files on the old hard disk now that it's in the external enclosure and plugged in via USB.

Is there an easy way of accessing the data on the old hard disk or have I got to reinstall it and copy the files to a USB memory stick?

Any 'good' advice would be appreciated.

I used to be reasonably computer lit' but that was with older OS's that didn't have the current security features.

[Eeyore]

Originally Posted by BuddyBoy

My first post - and it's nothing to do with diving...

I've upgraded the RAM in my wife's laptop and fitted a much larger hard disk. XP installed and updated OK. My plan was to put the old hard disk into an external enclosure and drag across the Outlook pst file(s) and any other data files that she still wants - and this is where I'm struggling. XP's security features won't allow me access to the files on the old hard disk now that it's in the external enclosure and plugged in via USB.

Is there an easy way of accessing the data on the old hard disk or have I got to reinstall it and copy the files to a USB memory stick?

Any 'good' advice would be appreciated.

I used to be reasonably computer lit' but that was with older OS's that didn't have the current security features.

I had a similar problem, when I had to sort out a new hard drive for the daughter
try putting the old drive back in the PC & remove any security login stuff, once back in the encklosure you should be able to access the data on the drive......well it worked for me

[MattS]

Originally Posted by BuddyBoy

XP's security features won't allow me access to the files on the old hard disk now that it's in the external enclosure and plugged in via USB.

If you are logged in with Administrator privs you should be able to access all files, except those that the Administrator has been denied access to. The Administrator is (sometimes) denied access to profile folders (\document and settings), which I presume is what you are trying to describe.

To gain access you need to first take ownership of the files and then change the permissions.

First (from my computer) open Tools\Folder Options
In the View tab;
Untick Display simple folder view...
Tick Fisplay the contents of system folders
Untick Hide extensions of known file types
Untick Hide protected operating system files (and OK the warning)
Untick Remember each folders view settings
Untick Use simple file sharing (Recommended)
Click Apply and then Click Apply to all folders, and then click OK.

Now select your External Hard Disk in My Computer.
Right click and select Properties
Click the Security Tab
Click the Advanced button
Click the Owner Tab
In the Change owner to list click the Administrators group
Tick Replace owner on Subcontainers and ojects
Click OK
Click Yes (or whatever) on the various prompts asking whether you really want to...

When the file ownership changes are complete, you should be back at the Security tab.
Select the Administrators Group and in the Permissions for Administrators list Tick the Full Control Allow, which should cause all the other allow persmissions to become ticked.
Click Advanced and in the Permissions tab
Tick Replace permissions on entries and child objects with entries shown here
Click OK
In the various prompts click Yes you really want to...

When it completes you should find you have access to all files on the external disk.

I am sort of assuming XP Pro and XP Home behave the same in this respect.

[BuddyBoy]

Oh my G*d ! How the hell did you know all of that... it's not something you trip over?

I am indebted to you - problem is fixed.

Incidentally, I am using XP Pro.

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by BuddyBoy

Oh my G*d ! How the hell did you know all of that... it's not something you trip over?

I am indebted to you - problem is fixed.

Incidentally, I am using XP Pro.

It's his job to know.