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Unlocking Win files from dead PC


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#1
Splatz

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My 9-year old PC has finally given up - mega startup problems, Blue Screen of Death with various error messages, and eventually constantly switching itself off. I’ve transferred most of the important parts over to a spare PC (equally old), which I’m using as a stopgap.

The only thing I didn’t have backed up was my emails/addresses and my browsing favourites/bookmarks (all Mozilla). They’re buried in the Windows files on the hard disk of the 1st PC.

I’ve put that disk as a Slave drive in the 2nd PC to get at the files I want, but they’re password protected by Win XP.

Will it be okay to temporarily make that disk the system/Master drive in the 2nd PC, so that I can find the files and copy them onto a CD? Or will the operating system on that drive be unable to work with a different motherboard?
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#2
ZEUS_GB

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Hi Splatz and welcome to G2G!

Generally it's not a good idea to switch hard drives from one PC to another. When PCs/motherboards are completely different Windows usually tends to have a fit. Blue screens, error messages and other odd problems occur.

The files on that hard drive are protected by the security settings that were setup the version of Windows installed on the hard drive. You can get access to these files usually by taking ownership of the files/folders.

Is the version of XP on your second PC XP Home or XP Professional?
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#3
Splatz

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Thanks for the welcome!

It's XP Home.
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#4
ZEUS_GB

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Hmmm.... XP Home just made it harder.
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#5
ZEUS_GB

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XP Home doesn't support disabling of simple file sharing, which is what needs to be disabled to be able to change permissions.

After a little research I've found a couple of ways you might be able to disable simple file sharing.

The Security Configuration Manager apparently adds the security tab.

The other way you could try is going into safe mode, logging into an admin account.

Which ever way works, right click the folder you want to change > click properties > click security tab > click advanced > click owner tab > select your user account in the window > tick replace owner on subcontainers and objects > click apply and then OK. This will change the ownership of the file and allow you access. Under the security tab make sure your account is listed and has been granted full control.
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#6
diabillic

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Boot your machine using a Linux based live cd, such as Ubuntu, and just drag and drop your files to your new drive.
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#7
Splatz

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Thanks for the help, guys.
  • Security Configuration Manager sounded too scary.
  • I tried Safe Mode. It wouldn't allow me access to the files, although I couldn't guarantee that I did everything corrrectly.
  • Ubuntu worked a treat, but it took quite a while. As indicated in the documentation, you have to be careful how you burn the CD. My copy of Nero failed at that.

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#8
Ferrari

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Ubuntu worked a treat, but it took quite a while. As indicated in the documentation, you have to be careful how you burn the CD. My copy of Nero failed at that.

In the future you can use something lighter... just an FYI...

Use Puppy Linux Live CD to Recover Your Data:

Required Hardware
  • CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,
  • Blank CD,
  • Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)
1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:
  • Download Puppy Linux 4.3.1 ISO
    Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software

  • Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer
  • Extract All files to a location you can remember
  • Double Click Posted Image BurnCDCC
  • Click Browse Posted Image and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded
  • Open/Double Click that file
    IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x
  • Click Start Posted Image
  • Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically
  • Insert a blank CD and close the tray
  • Click OK
Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created
2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second
  • Start the computer/press the power button
  • Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"
    (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
  • Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:
    CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
  • Open your ROM drive and insert the disk
  • Press F10 to save and exit
  • Agree with "Y" to continue
  • Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD

    Posted Image

3. Recover Your Data
  • Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.

    3a. Mount Drives
  • Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop. Posted Image
  • A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.
  • Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.
  • USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.
  • If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.
3b. Transfer Files.
  • At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.
  • Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1
  • Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1
  • If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)
  • From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.
For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.

Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!

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