Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - Access denied trying to get files from old hard drive

**jcgriff2** · 08-22-2008, 09:05 AM

Hi. . .

Did you run the chkdsk?

Elevated admin level is the hidden admin level that is above any other admin accounts. The instructions to run chkdsk /r bring you into the command prompt ("DOS") as the #1 admin (notice that you are brought into the path \windows\system32 vs. the run/cmd command which brings you up within your user profile folder). In XP every admin account had 2 user "tokens" full authority to do just about anything. In Vista the admin user accounts only have 1 of these 2 tokens. When 2 tokens are needed for something like a program installation, that brings up the User Account Control (UAC) screen where you hit Continue. If the hidden admin account is activated and password protected, the #2 admin accounts will be prompted by the UAC for a password each time instead of just clicking on Continue.

I would try to see if an elevated admin level can access it before you run chkdsk. To get to the elevated admin cmd -

START | type cmd into the start search box | right-click on cmd.exe above| run as admin | then type the following substituting the drive letter

dir x:\*.*

That will simply five you a listing of folders/files on the root of the drive.

If you cannot access in that manner, then run the chkdsk. If that does work do the following from the cmd prompt:

Net user administrator /active:yes

Now logoff your user account. You will see an account name Administrator waiting for you. Click on it & hit enter if asked for password. To de-activate, issue the same command, except change the yes to no.

I would not advise leaving this account active as short of re-installing Vista should you not be able to log into your account for some reason like forgetting password or you find your admin user account demoted to a standard account. That happened to my mom's system at Christmas. I recommend you have at least two admin user accounts under Vista even if the other's purpose is none other than a reserve account and never used.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

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EDIT: Q please - Central NJ - anywhere near Spring Lake?

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08-22-2008, 09:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Great State of New Jersey - away from the gross corruption of the Riverside County, CA, SO office. SHAMEFUL ! Posts: 10,123 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Access denied trying to get files from old hard drive Hi. . . Did you run the chkdsk? Elevated admin level is the hidden admin level that is above any other admin accounts. The instructions to run chkdsk /r bring you into the command prompt ("DOS") as the #1 admin (notice that you are brought into the path \windows\system32 vs. the run/cmd command which brings you up within your user profile folder). In XP every admin account had 2 user "tokens" full authority to do just about anything. In Vista the admin user accounts only have 1 of these 2 tokens. When 2 tokens are needed for something like a program installation, that brings up the User Account Control (UAC) screen where you hit Continue. If the hidden admin account is activated and password protected, the #2 admin accounts will be prompted by the UAC for a password each time instead of just clicking on Continue. I would try to see if an elevated admin level can access it before you run chkdsk. To get to the elevated admin cmd - START \| type cmd into the start search box \| right-click on cmd.exe above\| run as admin \| then type the following substituting the drive letter dir x:\. That will simply five you a listing of folders/files on the root of the drive. If you cannot access in that manner, then run the chkdsk. If that does work do the following from the cmd prompt: Net user administrator /active:yes Now logoff your user account. You will see an account name Administrator waiting for you. Click on it & hit enter if asked for password. To de-activate, issue the same command, except change the yes to no. I would not advise leaving this account active as short of re-installing Vista should you not be able to log into your account for some reason like forgetting password or you find your admin user account demoted to a standard account. That happened to my mom's system at Christmas. I recommend you have at least two admin user accounts under Vista even if the other's purpose is none other than a reserve account and never used. Regards. . . jcgriff2 . EDIT: Q please - Central NJ - anywhere near Spring Lake? . __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread Glad to be home in the Great State of New Jersey ! ! Last edited by jcgriff2; 08-22-2008 at 01:49 PM.