Vista wont let me in my C drive

[sunfan1121]

when I click on my C drive I get an access denied message, and it wont let me in. Same thing happens when i click on anything with the colored shield. anyone know what might be causing this problem, and how to fix it?
     

[Rich46yo]

Sounds like it has something to do with admin privileges. Are you signed into a vista mode with admin privilege? Are your programs loading correctly? Any other symptoms?

This is a strange one. Maybe skuzzy can help you. Can you right click C-drive and check user permissions?

[sunfan1121]

I think your right about admin privs, but theres only one profile on my computer. It's not letting me run Java either. It won't let me change any settings I just get the access denied message, or nothing at all.

[Denholm]

Sounds like a nested virus.

Give these a shot:

FREE One-Care Safety Scanner (Online mode, might not delete the viruses, but it tells you where they're located at, so you can go delete them yourself.)
http://safety.live.com

ESET NOD32 Free Online Scanner:
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

Spybot: Search and Destroy:
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html?tag=mncol&cdlPid=10861988
(You have to download it)

AVG Anti-Rootkit Free:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/AVG-Anti-Rootkit.shtml
(You have to download it)


I recommend you use all these scanners, in order as posted. The two at the top are both Anti-Virus scanners, however one of the two might find something the other hasn't. Just remember, don't run two scans at the same time. Make sure to let the previous scanner finish before launching the next one.

The two scanners at the bottom are anti-spyware/malware and anti-rootkit scanners. The reason for using them both is obvious. Firstly, spyware and malware can sometimes open the door for downloading more malicious files, such as viruses or trojans. Secondly, rootkits are typically the file that downloaded the infectious files to your system. These nasty hidden files will re-download the virus after it has been eliminated. And since not all anti-virus scanners can detect them, they're free to roam your computer as they please.

So, once again. Run the scans in order as posted here remembering to run the scans one at a time. Hopefully this solves some of your problems, if not all of them.

[Chalenge]

Sunfan Im sorry to ask but I felt you were not real clear on the problem details. Are you logged into your Vista system and using it when you try to access C:\?

[sunfan1121]

Sunfan Im sorry to ask but I felt you were not real clear on the problem details. Are you logged into your Vista system and using it when you try to access C:\?

. Yes. I tried the Vscans and nothing. Is there a way to change the security settings back to default?

[Chalenge]

You didnt recently try to restore files from a previous OS (XP) did you?

I hope not. If so you probably have a mix of OS files and Vista has denied access to improve stability.

Are you the only operator on the system? It is possible someone tried to load XP specific system DLLs (I could not venture a guess as to why).

I would recommend trying to restore to a point before the problem occurred and if you cant for some reason you are probably looking at a reinstall.

[Wayout]

Something else to try.  Right click on Windows Explorer, left click on Run As Administrator. 

Or, check out this site.

https://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2007/01/16/help-vista-won-t-let-me-write-to-my-external-hard-drive.aspx

 

[sunfan1121]

Ok, it wont let me do a system restore, even with the disk because it says i ned admin privs. but like I said that's the only profile and the only admin.

[Chalenge]

First turn off UAC by opening Control Panel (I use Classic View) and double clicking User Accounts. Choose the last option of the right hand pane which will be 'Turn User Account Control on or off' and then un-check the only selection box on the page that pops up and then click on the OK button. You will have to restart your computer.

Attempt to do a system restore again. If that fails:

Open Explorer and right click on the C:\ drive and select the 'Properties' option. On the security tab make sure Administrators and System both have full control and all other permissions available (except 'Special permissions'). Authenticated should have no permissions set but Users will have 'Read & Execute' 'Read' and 'List Folder Contents.'

If you cant get to the properties window from Explorer you can try to access it through 'My Computer.' On the start menu right click on 'Computer' and then choose 'Manage' and then on the Computer Management applet choose 'Disk Management' on the left hand pane and then right click on the 'C:\' drive and select the properties option. From there its the same procedure as from Explorer.

Attempt access of 'C:\'

If none of this is getting you anywhere I believe you are looking at reinstall (as I already said).