Author Topic: Unlocking password protected directories (Read 1326 times)

Thruster · « **on:** February 10, 2008, 07:19:13 AM »

here's my dilemma in a nutshell....

Old system MB failed, ordered a new computer and dropped the old HD into slot 2.

All the data shows up on the old drive but the folder "my documents" was not shared and was only accessible through the old password protected profile. Can't open it.

All my more recent work is on it and much is not archived (stupid).

I can pull it and bring it in and have a tech unlock it for a fee (so I'm told) but I don't like the risk of having some geek squadder pushing the wrong button and handing me a newly formatted disc.

Any programs out there? I've looked and can't seem to find one that solves this specific problem.

SD67 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2008, 07:40:24 AM »

You could try File Scavenger, I've used it to recover an accidentally formatted HDD with amazing results, I got stuff back that should have been deleted long before the accidental format! It may pull the info out of yours bypassing the protection.
Sorry, I don't have a link handy.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2008, 07:48:18 AM »

http://www.download.com/File-Scavenger/3000-2248_4-10028488.html

google was my friend.

never used it. Just thought i'd find it for ya

Thruster · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2008, 07:56:23 AM »

Dude,

Your the best.

I'll check it out.

Thanks

Thruster · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2008, 09:29:10 AM »

Dred,

Again, thanks for the link and such.

I looked it over and noticed it worked with max 58kb. file sizes, not enough. Many files are vids and music which are WAY bigger.

I did some link surfing and found out how to do it in windows via safe mode.

Problem fixed and I feel like slaughtering a fatted calf, I opened the whole thing which was about 30gb.

Man what a relief.

Chairboy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2008, 09:31:20 AM »

Last time I upgraded my motherboard/processor/etc, I tried an experiment. I just put my hard drive back in, booted from it, put in some driver disks when it asked, and it actually freakin' worked. I've been running it for a year trouble free.

XP is the cat's pajamas.

Thruster · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2008, 09:46:55 AM »

Most of the data on the drive was available except the documents assigned (owned) by the old cpid. I just changed a few admin options and it unlocked.

deSelys · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2008, 12:49:59 PM »

Another way (useful when windows won't start up):

download a Knoppix cd image at http://www.knoppix.org

Burn the image, start the computer from the CD.

Copy your files in a FAT32 partition (on your HDD or on an external HDD)

You're done.

vorticon · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2008, 12:54:50 PM »

N/M didnt notice you had got it.

Chairboy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2008, 01:45:52 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by deSelys
Another way (useful when windows won't start up):

download a Knoppix cd image at http://www.knoppix.org

Burn the image, start the computer from the CD.

Copy your files in a FAT32 partition (on your HDD or on an external HDD)

You're done.

That wasn't his problem, his issue was that the directories were encrypted.

SOB · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2008, 03:07:45 PM »

He likely just needed to turn off simple file sharing in Windows, then give himself full rights to his old user folder. There's no need to boot to safe mode to do this though.

Sandman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2008, 03:26:16 PM »

No need for additional software.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

JB73 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2008, 03:54:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman
No need for additional software.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

this works perfect too... thats from experience. buddies PC got infected, real bad, loaded a spare I had and installed windoze, put his HD in, did this, and recovered all his and wife's documents.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2008, 04:51:30 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Thruster
Dred,

Again, thanks for the link and such.

I looked it over and noticed it worked with max 58kb. file sizes, not enough. Many files are vids and music which are WAY bigger.

I did some link surfing and found out how to do it in windows via safe mode.

Problem fixed and I feel like slaughtering a fatted calf, I opened the whole thing which was about 30gb.

Man what a relief.

LOL No problem but dont thank me
Thank SD67.
He provided the program name.
All I did was google where to get it.
Took all of about 1 minute between googling,finding a lefitimate DL site (CNet is well known) and posting the link here.

As I said. I never used the program. Actually never even heard of it till SD mentioned it.

All I did was do for you what others have done for me what I could have done for myself LMAO

Just dont go telling everyone I did it.
People might get the impression that under all the crust im really a nice guy.

Ruin my reputation it would

JB88 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2008, 04:52:53 PM »

safe mode...administrator profile. properties/advanced/set permissions...or something along those lines.