Trying to get files off a scrap hard drive

My in laws have been using a really old dell pc for their body shop. Well they decided it is about time to upgrade, and I definitely agreed!

I am in the process of putting together a good working pc for them. I am just about done, but I am hitting a snag.

They have over 5 years of documents, pictures, and other files on the hard drive, they want. I see all the files with no problems, but when I go to try and open or copy and paste them, I keep getting told I dont have proper permissions to do so.

Generally when I plug up a hard drive, I can normally open up everything and even transfer stuff.

I have tried changing the security settings, and setting myself as the owner, not working either.

I have tried researching the net, but all that keeps coming up is for external plugin usb hard drives. Not sure what to type into Google to get what I need.

have you switched the jumper over on the drive to enslave it?

When I googled this problem, I came up with 10 different reasons. Either I'm looking in the wrong direction, or your google is broke.

And then the name calling comes out. I was simply pointing out that he said he didn't get any google hits. I did. But the ones I got are very wide ranging. Not enough info. If it was me, I would just bulk pack them on a stick. Otherwise all you do is transfer **** over you don't actually need and clogs up the new computer.

Don't worry, after getting my post pulled the other day.. and it was very very tame considering what else goes on out here, I'm gonna pull up my roots. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut, there are two phone calls I want to make first, actually 3, but I'll stick with 2, to members out here. I want to hear the babble excuses in their own voices. Just a small hobby of mine.

so you could explain what keywords you used to search for so the OP could refine his search. instead of just making a useless post about how you could do it.

I don't give out the hints anymore. I might appear to be a "*****" when I comment like that, but that's ok. I spent many years refining what I do, and how I do it. If I called up him and asked him to come help me sort metal, for FREE, would he? *shrugs* He might, or might not. That's not the issue, is it?

I used to be a nice guy. I used to do stuff for people free. Not anymore. I eat off brand cereal while they eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Now I get paid for info.

Your own quote...


"I just learned early on to start keeping my mouth shut. Not a big deal. In real life I have a big mouth, and as I've gotten old, I've learned to keep it shut. I was/is/am tired of making others money."

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Originally Posted by Gangel

I was simply pointing out that he said he didn't get any google hits. I did. But the ones I got are very wide ranging. Not enough info. If it was me, I would just bulk pack them on a stick. Otherwise all you do is transfer **** over you don't actually need and clogs up the new computer.

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He said that he can't copy and paste them because he keeps getting told he doesn't have permission to, therefore preventing him from putting them on a flash drive or "stick."

George, this may help you. Permissions won't take&#59; can't create/move files. - Microsoft Community I'm not a computer expert, but it looks like he has the same problem as you did. I hope this helps you out.

The stick is used in old computer instead of pulling the drive.

in before the lock

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Originally Posted by badkarma506

have you switched the jumper over on the drive to enslave it?

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It is to the far right..There is 4 spaces for it to go...how do I determine which one to place it on?

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Originally Posted by Gangel

When I googled this problem, I came up with 10 different reasons. Either I'm looking in the wrong direction, or your google is broke.

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and I came up with 1,000's situations like it as well. However, as mentioned in the first post of the thread, it was covering external hard drives. This is not an external hard drive. This is hooked to my laptop like any other hard drive, to be erased, but first I need the documents and files off of it.

I am not looking to get the junk files...just the important docs that my in laws would rather not see lost.

Cant hook up my external hard drive and do a switch, because their old pc is dead.

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Originally Posted by Gravitar

He said that he can't copy and paste them because he keeps getting told he doesn't have permission to, therefore preventing him from putting them on a flash drive or "stick."

George, this may help you. Permissions won't take&#59; can't create/move files. - Microsoft Community I'm not a computer expert, but it looks like he has the same problem as you did. I hope this helps you out.

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That is what I tried earlier doing, and no luck. It says I am the current owner, but wont let me open, copy and paste, nothing. I cant even see what the pictures looks like.

In your first post you said they just wanted to upgrade and you agreed to do it from that I got the assumption that the PC still worked.

There's a whole nother topic in here but I won't touch it.

Maybe install/hook up the HD inside one of your running PC's that was too good to scrap. Maybe hook it as a secondary drive so you could drag the files/folders onto/into the new drive.

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Originally Posted by Gangel

In your first post you said they just wanted to upgrade and you agreed to do it from that I got the assumption that the PC still worked.

There's a whole nother topic in here but I won't touch it.

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Upgrading can mean a few different things really.

This desktop was so dusty when I opened it, it looked like tons of ash falling out and no it was in no fire.

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Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Maybe install/hook up the HD inside one of your running PC's that was too good to scrap. Maybe hook it as a secondary drive so you could drag the files/folders onto/into the new drive.

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I have a few other desktops like the one it came out of, so I guess I will try that. Just wish it would be easier than all this bs.

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Originally Posted by Gangel

When I googled this problem, I came up with 10 different reasons. Either I'm looking in the wrong direction, or your google is broke.

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that's funny.

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I have a few other desktops like the one it came out of, so I guess I will try that. Just wish it would be easier than all this bs.

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When your dealing with computers it is never easy.

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Originally Posted by Mechanic688

When your dealing with computers it is never easy.

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AND the Mrs. usually had something to do with it.

I re-sell a lot of computers and it's always something........I don't sell them unless I'm satisfied they are working right so thank the Lord I have ewasted to bail me out

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Originally Posted by KzScrapper

AND the Mrs. usually had something to do with it.

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Ohhh, I wouldn't go there,,

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Originally Posted by GeorgeB

It is to the far right..There is 4 spaces for it to go...how do I determine which one to place it on?

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Doesn't the HD have a big label on it, with info re maker, size, etc etc.? Usually, there will be a diagram showing which pair of pins do what. i.e. Master (MS), Slave and Cable Select (CS).

Jumper either Slave or CS pins. Assuming that you are using another desktop PC to attempt to grab data off, plug hard drive into the middle connector of the IDE cable.

Boot PC up, go to Device Manger > Disk Management and see if the 2nd HD is detected by the Operating System. C (Disk 0), D (Disk 1 should be the Slave).

See how that goes for starters.

"This is hooked to my laptop like any other hard drive"

Ooops, missed the above. How are you connecting the data hd to your Laptop?

Suggest you try the modis operandi I posted earlier, using an available Desktop PC. my 2 roubles worth :-)

It is a Windows thing you need to set the Ownership and security so everyone and read the files.
I have done it but not enough to know how to explain it sorry.

all the pemissions are set to give me full control. it recognizes the drive and i can see files BUT that is all i can do.

its connected using usb cables

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Originally Posted by GeorgeB

all the pemissions are set to give me full control. it recognizes the drive and i can see files BUT that is all i can do.

its connected using usb cables

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My guess is you are missing something with permission or ownership. USB connection should not matter.
If the files are important. Then call a local computer shop and have them pull them off for you. Plus then you get to talk to them about their escrap.

Not sure if you've figured out a work around yet, but here is a link that should help.

How To Take Ownership of Files or Folders or an Entire Hard Drive

You can download a bootable version of Linux such as an Ubuntu Live CD-Rom. It will allow you to boot into a non-windows operating system and as long as there are not any driver issues your old hard drive should be recognized and you will be able to copy the files over to the local drive without the permissions errors.

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Originally Posted by jmf346

You can download a bootable version of Linux such as an Ubuntu Live CD-Rom. It will allow you to boot into a non-windows operating system and as long as there are not any driver issues your old hard drive should be recognized and you will be able to copy the files over to the local drive without the permissions errors.

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This is exactly what I was going to suggest except that I would use Puppy Linux so that it will not take as long to download.

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Originally Posted by TheDude80

Not sure if you've figured out a work around yet, but here is a link that should help.

How To Take Ownership of Files or Folders or an Entire Hard Drive

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That worked! I am so fricking happy!

I actually tried doing that several times, but there was one extra step at the end that I didnt know about, and that was the missing key! Thanks again.


Thanks to everyone who helped with suggestions, links, etc.

George, Glad you got it working.
Dude80 good job finding the link.

What operating system are you using?
I am going to guess it is Win 98.
If i remember correctly you will need to go into the administrators permissions tab and give full access to whatever user you are logged in as. Depending this could have been a factory install in which case you may be limited, but can still access the users tab and bypass the admin. permissions and still give you acccess.

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Originally Posted by VERYOLDGUY

What operating system are you using?
I am going to guess it is Win 98.
If i remember correctly you will need to go into the administrators permissions tab and give full access to whatever user you are logged in as. Depending this could have been a factory install in which case you may be limited, but can still access the users tab and bypass the admin. permissions and still give you acccess.

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I haven't seen a pc with windows 98 in forever. Pretty much all the ones I get have xp or vista on them.

But I would rather see a Windows 98 or older computer any day. Much better($$$) CPU in them .