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How to access files protected by Windows? (USB connected drive)
RayB:
I've got a bit of a challenge here... Our laptop slowly died and became unusable some time ago, and I finally got around to using my Vantec USB to IDE hard drive adapter so I could dump important files off it to another PC.
The drive shows up perfectly as drive J and I can access it like any other external drive just fine. But when I get to directories that were formerly Windows user account directories set to "private" I get an "Unable to access" error message.
I tried booting as Administrator in Safe Mode and same thing. Any ideas? I'm running XP.
protokatie:
The protection is tied to the MOBO serial number and/or other identifiers. If you take an HD out of the compy and try to access it from another computer (regardless of admin) the protection will notice that the drive isnt in the right computer. And dont go asking for M$ to help, as they will not give out any tools to help crack the protection.
Your best bet may be to put the HD back in the laptop, boot off of Knoppix 5.1 and use Samba to transfer the files. Knoppix might ignore the protection. If not, you may need to get the laptop working again and use SMB to send the files to another machine or to a USB stick/CDr.
RayB:
There's no reviving the laptop. Its pooched.
What about booting from the USB connected drive? Is that possible?
(gonna go check my BIOS)
protokatie:
That MIGHT work, except that the OS will see it is a diff mobo and hardware config. If that is the case, then call M$ and tell them that you changed your motherboard and your computer will not boot now (if they still service XP they can give you a code to unlock it, but that may only be for reinstalls, IDK)
EDIT: Also try KNOPPIX or UBUNTU live in the new computer (it may see the USB connected drive). I had no problem accessing some "protected" directories when using Knoppix. BTW only use knoppix 5.1x, version 6 sucks ATM.
RayB:
I tried booting from it and it would start loading windows and then just reboot again. I'm running CHKDSK on it now, just in case bad sectors and corrupted files are why the laptop died in the first place.
Knoppix? I have never touched that stuff. Keep in mind, there is no "new computer". I'm just trying to copy files over to one of our desktop PCs which is already set up and running XP. I don't want to get into partitioning and dual boots and pain like that, only to discover the only files on this thing aren't even worth "saving". It's most likely just MP3s!
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