Windows is automatically protecting my files and won't give me acc

[Guest]

I had installed Winability Folder Guard to protect work folders and files. I
had a serious hard drive failure (C: drive) and had to reformat the drive and
reinstall Windows XP and all programs. The protected folders/files were on
another hard drive. Now, while I can see the files I cannot open them. I
tried re-installing Folder Guard and using the same password but it doesn't
work. When I open the Properties window for each of these files the Read Only
attribute is checked. If I uncheck and apply that when I re-open the
properties window the Read Only attribute is checked again.

Winability support says that the problem lies with Windows; Windows is
protecting the files and I need to contact Windows Support to find out how to
"take ownership" of the protected files.

Would appreciate guidance on how to do that.

 

[Guest]

hello Mellach2327
i don't know if what i'm telling you will help you resoving the problem but
you can try it if you want
you can open my computer --> tools --> folder options -->view then remove
the check mark on simple file sharing
then you can go to the folder you can't open and check it's properties, you
will find a new tab called security and it contains all users on the machine
with thier security attributes so try to apply full control to your user name
hint: this property won't appear if your hard drive working with FAT32 file
system

 

[Malke]

I had installed Winability Folder Guard to protect work folders and
files. I had a serious hard drive failure (C: drive) and had to
reformat the drive and
reinstall Windows XP and all programs. The protected folders/files
were on another hard drive. Now, while I can see the files I cannot
open them. I tried re-installing Folder Guard and using the same
password but it doesn't work. When I open the Properties window for
each of these files the Read Only
attribute is checked. If I uncheck and apply that when I re-open the
properties window the Read Only attribute is checked again.

Winability support says that the problem lies with Windows; Windows is
protecting the files and I need to contact Windows Support to find out
how to "take ownership" of the protected files.

Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421] -
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

How Do I Get the Security tab in Folder Properties? -
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_security_tab.htm

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks to both respondents, but I can't solve the problem.

I followed the instructions in the links below. On the Security tab there
are 5 user entries: Administrators [COMPUTER NAME\Administrators], CREATOR
OWNER, S-1-5-21-lots of numbers, SYSTEM, Users [COMPUTER NAME\Users]. I can
check the 'Allow' boxes for full control for all of these accounts except for
CREATOR OWNER. When I check Full Control, all the boxes have green ticks but
when I click 'Apply' they disappear. I still can't access the folders and
files.

Any further ideas?
thanks

I had installed Winability Folder Guard to protect work folders and
files. I had a serious hard drive failure (C: drive) and had to
reformat the drive and
reinstall Windows XP and all programs. The protected folders/files
were on another hard drive. Now, while I can see the files I cannot
open them. I tried re-installing Folder Guard and using the same
password but it doesn't work. When I open the Properties window for
each of these files the Read Only
attribute is checked. If I uncheck and apply that when I re-open the
properties window the Read Only attribute is checked again.

Winability support says that the problem lies with Windows; Windows is
protecting the files and I need to contact Windows Support to find out
how to "take ownership" of the protected files.

Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421] -
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

How Do I Get the Security tab in Folder Properties? -
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_security_tab.htm

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Malke]

Thanks to both respondents, but I can't solve the problem.

I followed the instructions in the links below. On the Security tab
there
are 5 user entries: Administrators [COMPUTER NAME\Administrators],
CREATOR OWNER, S-1-5-21-lots of numbers, SYSTEM, Users [COMPUTER
NAME\Users]. I can check the 'Allow' boxes for full control for all of
these accounts except for
CREATOR OWNER. When I check Full Control, all the boxes have green
ticks but when I click 'Apply' they disappear. I still can't access
the folders and files.

It doesn't sound like you are clicking the "Advanced" button and
changing the ownership and then "Replace owner on subcontainers and
objects". You need to do that and then give the new owner (which should
be the user account you're in) full permissions.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks again Malke.

I have since replaced owner on subcontainers and objects as you describe. My
user name now is listed in the user list on the security tab. I've given
myself full access. But the problem persists. I can change attributes on
files and they remain changed. However, the folders remain checked for
'hidden' even after I uncheck the hidden box and apply. So I still can't
open, copy or move files. I removed the CREATOR OWNER from the user list
because that is the only account that I can't give full access to. However,
it returns after I re-boot.

A mystery...

Thanks to both respondents, but I can't solve the problem.

I followed the instructions in the links below. On the Security tab
there
are 5 user entries: Administrators [COMPUTER NAME\Administrators],
CREATOR OWNER, S-1-5-21-lots of numbers, SYSTEM, Users [COMPUTER
NAME\Users]. I can check the 'Allow' boxes for full control for all of
these accounts except for
CREATOR OWNER. When I check Full Control, all the boxes have green
ticks but when I click 'Apply' they disappear. I still can't access
the folders and files.

It doesn't sound like you are clicking the "Advanced" button and
changing the ownership and then "Replace owner on subcontainers and
objects". You need to do that and then give the new owner (which should
be the user account you're in) full permissions.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Malke]

Thanks again Malke.

I have since replaced owner on subcontainers and objects as you
describe. My
user name now is listed in the user list on the security tab. I've
given myself full access. But the problem persists. I can change
attributes on files and they remain changed. However, the folders
remain checked for 'hidden' even after I uncheck the hidden box and
apply. So I still can't
open, copy or move files. I removed the CREATOR OWNER from the user
list because that is the only account that I can't give full access
to. However, it returns after I re-boot.

Then I guess that third-party software you used really damaged your
operating system files. I'm not familiar with the program you used and
I am assuming that no encryption was involved. If encryption *was*
involved, then you are probably SOL.

Without being able to see the computer, I can only suggest:

1. Boot the machine with a Linux live cd such as Knoppix. You can also
use a Windows-based rescue cd such as a Bart's PE, but personally I'd
go for one that was a completely different OS since XP permissions will
not apply there. Back up the data using Knoppix. I'll put the general
directions for using Knoppix at the end of this post.

2. Once the data is safe, do a Repair Install.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

3. If the Repair Install doesn't work (and I'm not optimistic that it
will), format the drive and start over with a clean install of Windows.
Find another way to protect your files and do regular backups.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand

Using Knoppix - You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of
which is a cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumb drive with enough capacity to hold
your data OR an external usb/firewire hard drive formatted FAT32 (not
NTFS). To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet
connection and third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso
and create your bootable cd. Then boot with it and it will be able to
see the Windows files. If you are using the usb thumb drive or the
external hard drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to get
its properties and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then click on
it to open it. Note that the default mouse action in the window manager
used by Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead of the
traditional MS Windows' double-click. Otherwise, use the K3b burning
program to burn the files to cd/dvd-r's.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Then I guess that third-party software you used really damaged your
operating system files. I'm not familiar with the program you used and
I am assuming that no encryption was involved. If encryption *was*
involved, then you are probably SOL.

Without being able to see the computer, I can only suggest:

1. Boot the machine with a Linux live cd such as Knoppix. You can also
use a Windows-based rescue cd such as a Bart's PE, but personally I'd
go for one that was a completely different OS since XP permissions will
not apply there. Back up the data using Knoppix. I'll put the general
directions for using Knoppix at the end of this post.

2. Once the data is safe, do a Repair Install.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

3. If the Repair Install doesn't work (and I'm not optimistic that it
will), format the drive and start over with a clean install of Windows.
Find another way to protect your files and do regular backups.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand

Using Knoppix - You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of
which is a cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumb drive with enough capacity to hold
your data OR an external usb/firewire hard drive formatted FAT32 (not
NTFS). To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet
connection and third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso
and create your bootable cd. Then boot with it and it will be able to
see the Windows files. If you are using the usb thumb drive or the
external hard drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to get
its properties and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then click on
it to open it. Note that the default mouse action in the window manager
used by Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead of the
traditional MS Windows' double-click. Otherwise, use the K3b burning
program to burn the files to cd/dvd-r's.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Thanks again Malke.

I followed those instructions and booted with Knoppix. It recognised my USB
drives but gave an error when trying to access my C: drive and the drive
causing my problem. Both are formatted NTFS, is that the problem? If nothing
else, this has piqued my interest in Linux!

The error message is:

Could not mount device.
The reported error was:
The device /dev/sdb1, is mounted.
Forced to continue.
Error opening partition device : Device or resource busy
Failed to startup volume : Device or resource busy
Couldn't mount device '/dev/sdb1' : Device or resource busy
Mount failed.


cheers

Garry

 

[Malke]

Thanks again Malke.

I followed those instructions and booted with Knoppix. It recognised
my USB drives but gave an error when trying to access my C: drive and
the drive causing my problem. Both are formatted NTFS, is that the
problem? If nothing else, this has piqued my interest in Linux!

The error message is:

Could not mount device.
The reported error was:
The device /dev/sdb1, is mounted.
Forced to continue.
Error opening partition device : Device or resource busy
Failed to startup volume : Device or resource busy
Couldn't mount device '/dev/sdb1' : Device or resource busy
Mount failed.

Knoppix may have had a problem with the SATA controller in your
computer. I just don't know, but let me make sure I completely
understand what happened and what you've done.

1. You had two internal hard drives. The system drive (C:\) failed
because of a physical problem. The data drive - which held your data
which you had protected with "Winability Folder Guard" - did not fail
and that hard drive was and is physically viable.

2. You then replaced the failed system drive with another drive and
clean-installed Windows onto it. You attached the second data drive and
your new installation of XP can't take ownership of the data files.

3. The drive holding the data files is a SATA drive and is internal, not
connected through a usb drive enclosure externally.

If this is all correct, then there are a few other things you can try.

1. First, if the data drive is the same make/age as the drive that
failed it would be smart to run a hard drive diagnostic on it to make
sure the drive is physically sound. You always want to do this when
doing data retrieval because if the drive is *not* physically sound,
working on it increases the chance of the data being destroyed. So
download a diagnostic utility from the drive mftr. You will make a
bootable cd/floppy with this file. Boot with it and do a thorough test
on the data drive. If the drive is healthy, fine. If it is not and the
data is crucial, send the drive to a professional data recovery firm
(more info on that later in this post).

2. We'll assume the drive is good. Now, it is entirely possible that the
way Winability Folder Guard "protects" the data does something weird to
the partition or the way the disk reads. I have no idea. I know that
you've contacted them, but you may need to speak to a higher level of
their tech support to find out if their program does anything that
makes data recovery/taking ownership difficult. You also need to ask
them what type of encryption is used on those files - if encryption is
used at all. Real encryption (like EFS used in Windows Pro) requires
you to export your key and add a recovery agent. Was there anything
like this in the Winability Folder Guard program? Did you do it?

If this *is* an encryption situation, go to these folks and see what
they say: http://www.elcomsoft.com/aefsdr.html

You can also check with DriveSavers (a professional data recovery
company) to see what they say. Usually DriveSavers retrieves data from
failed or damaged hard drives; I don't know if they can help with your
particular situation but they are really good people and it can't hurt
to talk to them. http://www.drivesavers.com

3. I would do Suggestions 1 & 2 first so you know just what you're
dealing with. You might also pull the drive, throw it in a usb drive
enclosure, and try the Knoppix route again, perhaps using a different
computer. Don't forget to right-click on the icon for the data drive
(now external) and uncheck the Read Only box *before* you left-click on
the drive to open it.

The fact that the drive is formatted NTFS is irrelevant for copying the
data to another drive from Knoppix. It is writing to NTFS from Linux
that is not recommended.

4. And finally, you may want to bring the drive to a local professional
(someone like me, not a BigStoreUSA type of place) who is skilled in
data retrieval. The data may be able to be retrieved using data
recovery software or the pro may be able to solve issues that I can't
because s/he will have hands-on the drive and can actually see what is
happening.

Again, all of the do-it-yourself data retrieval techniques will be
useless if encryption was involved. Then you definitely need
information from the Winability people and to talk to the people at
Elcomsoft and/or DriveSavers.

Let me know if you need more help. In any case, I'd very much like to
hear how things come out so if you get time, please do post back.

The very best of luck to you,

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks Malke.

I tried Knoppix again and got access to the hard drives. When I tried to
paste the files to a USB drive I got a denied access message. I'll email your
comments to Winability and see if they can shed some light on this.

cheers

Garry

 

[Malke]

Thanks Malke.

I tried Knoppix again and got access to the hard drives. When I tried
to paste the files to a USB drive I got a denied access message. I'll
email your comments to Winability and see if they can shed some light
on this.

Did you remember to right-click on the icon (in Knoppix) for the usb
hard drive first and clear the checkbox for Read Only - *before* you
left-clicked on the icon to mount it? If you forgot to do this, that's
why you couldn't copy the files.

Malke

 

[Guest]

No I didn't do that (you are a very patient person). Have since done it and
can copy files to and from the drives from all but the folders that were
protected by Folder Guard.

This is the recent response from Winability re this problem (I provided your
response from 11/5/1006 and 11/8/2006):

Folder Guard does not apply any encryption. I would agree with the advice
that using the data recovery software or a service would be the best way to
go.

I hope this is of some help.

If you need further assistance, please use the following web page to contact
us again regarding this issue:

http://www.winability.com/support/?0610-2322-3108-5203

 

[Malke]

No I didn't do that (you are a very patient person). Have since done
it and can copy files to and from the drives from all but the folders
that were protected by Folder Guard.

This is the recent response from Winability re this problem (I
provided your response from 11/5/1006 and 11/8/2006):

Folder Guard does not apply any encryption. I would agree with the
advice that using the data recovery software or a service would be the
best way to go.

I hope this is of some help.

If you need further assistance, please use the following web page to
contact us again regarding this issue:

http://www.winability.com/support/?0610-2322-3108-5203

Then if you can copy everything except the folders that had been
"protected" by Winability, then you know that Winability does do some
proprietary garbage to the files and you have been screwed. Since they
won't support their product and have basically washed their hands of
you, you're up the creek without a paddle. I'm very sorry.

At this point if the data is extremely important I think I'd stop
messing about with it and contact either Drive Savers or the Elcomsoft
people to see if they can help. Obviously Winability has done something
proprietary and they aren't going to tell you what and they aren't
going to help you recover your files.

I'm sorry I was unable to solve the problem for you. If you ever get it
resolved, it would be great if you'd post what happened because I'd
like to know. Again, you have my sympathies.

Malke