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Question

Password on old hard drive

Oct 10, 2018 6:50AM PDT

I have removed the hard drive from my old conputer that had a failed motherboard. it was the system drive. it is loaded with files I need to save such as pictures, videos, tax info etc...the usual.

when I hook up a USB to hard drive rescue kit, it reads the drive no problem, but all that is showing up is the widows system files. it looks as if there are no other files on it which I know is not right.

I am guessing that since it had a admin password on it, that it will not show any files until I input that password somehow...am i correct? could this be why the files are not showing up? if so, how can I input the password thru the USB interface I am using? thanks much for your help...james

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: drive
Oct 10, 2018 7:37AM PDT

No need, no possibility even, to enter the password.

What exactly are "the wi(n)dows system files"? Do you see folders also? If so, what folders?

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windows system files
Oct 10, 2018 6:56PM PDT

Hi I just meant that the only files showing up is the windows operating system itself, none of my personal files like pictures and videos show up. and I have tons of them on there. I know they just didnt fly away but I dont know how to get to them and I think the admin password may be why.

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Re: personal files
Oct 11, 2018 12:36AM PDT

Those should be in your profile, if you didn't change the default. That's the folder Users>[your username]. That's why I asked what folders you see in the root folder. I hoped Users would be included in your list. But you forgot to answer that simple question.

Once you found them, you might need to TAKE OWNERSHIP of the files, if you're logging in as another user now. Google how to do that for the version of Windows (you didn't tell that either).

The worst that can happen (if the files are still there) is that you have to boot into a Linux disc or stick (free to make) and read the files you're denied access to. The security in Linux is less than in Windows.

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simple questions
Oct 11, 2018 5:11AM PDT

Hi thanks for helping. As for the folders that show up I will have to see when I hook up the drive next time, so not sure right now what is there. the version was windows xp pro. thanks again.

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Answer
Old Hdd
Oct 10, 2018 9:35AM PDT

Does this rescue kit use it's own program to read the disk?
What does disk management say about the disk?

Post a link to this rescue kit.

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Rescue kit
Oct 10, 2018 6:53PM PDT

Hi thanks for trying to help. the rescue kit is one I have had for several years so I cant post a link to it, I got it on ebay. it is simply a usb cable with sata adapter on the end which hooks to the drive. no software disk.

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Partitions
Oct 10, 2018 10:50PM PDT

So your using windows explorer to view this disk?

Is there more than one partition on the old hdd?

What does disk management show about this disk?

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partitions
Oct 11, 2018 5:16AM PDT

yes windows explorer in windows 7 pro. the old drive has windows xp pro.

if there is more than one partition, the other partition would just be the recovery partition.

I havent checked the disk management. will have to do that next attempt I make. I dont have the drive hooked up at the moment.

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Answer
Clone drive
Oct 10, 2018 2:10PM PDT

Hi williams4net,

do you have another computer to clone the drive?

By cloning the drive, you will not have to worry about modifying or erasing data, and you will be able to recover the data from the clone.

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clone drive
Oct 10, 2018 6:54PM PDT

Hi thanks for your help. no I dont have another one but if I did go that route and clone it, wouldnt I get the same issue of not being able to read the hidden files?