Cannot access "My Documents" folder

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wilfred
  • Start date Start date
W

Wilfred

I had partioned my hard drive into two partitions: C & D. I moved the "My
Documents" folder to the logical drive "D".

I had to format C: and reinstall Windows XP Pro. I had been told by Gateway
tech support that I would not lose the data in "D". I can still access D
and all the other folders and files in the drive but there are thousands of
files in the "My Documents" folder that I no longer have access to,
including some very valuable spreadsheets.

When I check the properties of D, the size of the used space indicates that
the files are still there. I have tried logging in as the Admisitrator in
Windows XP Pro but I still get "access denied" when I try to open the "My
Documents" folder in the "D" drive.

Is the data lost to me? It would be a tremendous loss if I am unable to get
to these files. They contain several years worth of business
correspondence, spreadsheets and documents.

Help!
 
You haven't lost them. You only need to take ownership of those files and
folders.

From Windows Help:

To take ownership of a file or folder

1.. Open Windows Explorer, and then locate the file or folder you want to
take ownership of.
2.. Right-click the file or folder, click Properties, and then click the
Security tab.
3.. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4.. In the Change owner to box, click the new owner.
5.. (Optional) To change the owner of all subcontainers and objects within
the tree, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
Notes

a.. To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to
Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
b.. If you are not joined to a domain and want to view the Security tab,
see To display the Security tab.
c.. You can transfer ownership in two ways:
a.. The current owner can grant the Take ownership permission to others,
allowing those users to take ownership at any time.
b.. An administrator can take ownership of any file on the computer.
However, the administrator cannot transfer ownership to others. This
restriction keeps the administrator accountable.
d.. In Windows XP Professional, the Everyone group no longer includes the
Anonymous Logon group.
 
Patty MacDuffie said:
You haven't lost them. You only need to take ownership of those files and
folders.

From Windows Help:

To take ownership of a file or folder

1.. Open Windows Explorer, and then locate the file or folder you want to
take ownership of.
2.. Right-click the file or folder, click Properties, and then click the
Security tab.
3.. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4.. In the Change owner to box, click the new owner.
5.. (Optional) To change the owner of all subcontainers and objects within
the tree, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
Notes

a.. To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to
Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
b.. If you are not joined to a domain and want to view the Security tab,
see To display the Security tab.
c.. You can transfer ownership in two ways:
a.. The current owner can grant the Take ownership permission to others,
allowing those users to take ownership at any time.
b.. An administrator can take ownership of any file on the computer.
However, the administrator cannot transfer ownership to others. This
restriction keeps the administrator accountable.
d.. In Windows XP Professional, the Everyone group no longer includes the
Anonymous Logon group.
Click to expand...

If you are running Windows XP Home Edition, in order to have access to the
Security tab, you must first start in Safe Mode and log on with an account that
has Administrative rights.
 
THANK YOU!!!
:)



Patty MacDuffie said:
You haven't lost them. You only need to take ownership of those files and
folders.

From Windows Help:

To take ownership of a file or folder

1.. Open Windows Explorer, and then locate the file or folder you want to
take ownership of.
2.. Right-click the file or folder, click Properties, and then click the
Security tab.
3.. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4.. In the Change owner to box, click the new owner.
5.. (Optional) To change the owner of all subcontainers and objects within
the tree, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
Notes

a.. To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to
Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
b.. If you are not joined to a domain and want to view the Security tab,
see To display the Security tab.
c.. You can transfer ownership in two ways:
a.. The current owner can grant the Take ownership permission to others,
allowing those users to take ownership at any time.
b.. An administrator can take ownership of any file on the computer.
However, the administrator cannot transfer ownership to others. This
restriction keeps the administrator accountable.
d.. In Windows XP Professional, the Everyone group no longer includes the
Anonymous Logon group.
Click to expand...
 
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