- fresh install -- need to access previous installation
- Posted by DougE on June 19th, 2008
I recently had a motherboard failure, and I was unable to get my existing
installation of Windows XP Pro to boot from the new mobo. (FYI: There is a
way to do this, but I blew it I guess.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html)
So I did a fresh install on a different drive. Everything is fine so far.
The fresh install runs so much better.
But now I still have that other drive with all my stuff on it. The problem
is my home directory is password protected. I want to hack into my old drive
to retrieve some things, then I will nuke it.
Could someone please tell me how I should go about logging onto my old home
directory? Can I do this through Windows Explorer somehow?
TIA
- Posted by Malke on June 19th, 2008
DougE wrote:
The word "hacking" has exciting connotations for people who aren't real
hackers, but it is completely unnecessary to do any "hacking" in your case.
You simply need to take ownership of the files. That assumes of course that
you didn't *encrypt* the files (XP Pro's EFS). If you did and neglected to
back up your encryption key, the files are for all intents and purposes
gone. If you didn't encrypt the files, no problem.
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
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!
- Posted by DougE on June 20th, 2008
Thanks. That just worked. And you are right -- asking someone to help you
fix your computer is not hacking. But after several days of installation, I
took the simplest route on this one. And you made it possible, again many
thanks.
"Malke" wrote:
- Posted by Malke on June 20th, 2008
DougE wrote:
Glad that sorted it for you. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!