OS will not boot

Question

How do I access my personal folder from my laptop hdd while it is in an external case?  I can no longer boot and it is password protected through the Windows XP Pro OS security settings.  How do I change the password without booting?  I am able to boot from disc when hdd is in the laptop and perform repair and chkdsk, but it does not allow me to boot after these functions are performed.  This is why I need access the data using an external case; this method however, does not allow me to use or change my current password to access personal files.  Please, does anyone have the solution to this problem?

husky0894 · Answer

You need to take ownership of the folder/files. Note: if the host system is running XP Home, this MUST be done in Safe Mode. If the host is running Pro, it need not.

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

mll82 · Answer

I have xp pro running.  I do not have the security tab to start process.  It shows up in safe mode though.  It still will not allow me transfer my working files.

husky0894 · Answer

What did chkdsk find?  If it found corrupt files - or worse, bad sectors, it may mean the drive is physically damaged.

mll82 · Answer

I can access it from external case but I cannot transfer all of the files on the hdd even after taking ownership.

Windows General

Was this post helpful?