Member Avatar for frstdrkngl

I use my external hard drive to store and share movies, TV series and music with my friends. Lately, however,I have been unable to access folders on my external hard disc when I use it on another computer other than where the folders were created. It says "Access is Denied". When I point the cursor on the folders, it shows folder is empty. But the hard disc is actually utilized. Please advise me on how to resolve this glitch.

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The behavior described by — folders on the external disk showing as empty on other PCs while the drive still reports used space, plus an "access denied" when you try to open them — most often points to per-file ownership/ACLs or file encryption tied to the machine that created the files. As hinted, Windows account-level controls and ACLs are a common cause; as asked, any error messages seen while the drive is attached to the original PC are useful diagnostics.

Quick, non-destructive checks:

  • In Explorer, enable showing hidden files and protected OS files to rule out hidden attributes.
  • While a file/folder is selected, check Properties -> Advanced to see if encryption is enabled; encrypted items require the original decryption key.
  • Use the drive Properties -> Tools -> Error checking and a S.M.A.R.T. utility to rule out file-system or hardware problems.
  • If possible, attach the drive to the machine that created the folders and copy a sample folder to another external medium (or create an archive) — copying from the original host often preserves access.

If it is an ownership/permissions issue (most likely when access works only on the creator machine): run Explorer as an administrator, right‑click the affected folder or drive -> Properties -> Security -> Advanced -> change the Owner to an Administrator or the current user, choose to replace owner on subcontainers/objects, then add the desired user (or Everyone) with appropriate permissions and propagate to child objects. Back up first — changing ownership and ACLs can have unintended effects.

If the files are encrypted, you will need the original encryption certificate/private key (export it from the original machine before moving media). If these steps fail, run the drive maker’s diagnostic tool and consider copying data off using the original PC, or contacting a data-recovery specialist for hardware/corruption cases.

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Member Avatar for Salem

Which operating system(s) do you use to access the drive?

Member Avatar for Frank Wallis

What Operating System are you using?

Do u get any messege when you try to access a folder on
external hard drive when it is connected to the 1st computer?

Member Avatar for frstdrkngl

I use windows vista and the file system is on NTFS.

Member Avatar for frstdrkngl

I use windows vista and the file system is on NTFS.

When i'm on the 1st computer I can access and view the folders OK as long as I copied the folders from there but when I use another computer I can't access the folders on the external HDD. That's why I think it's a problem to do with the hard disk. I'm not sure though.

Member Avatar for Salem

Do you have UAC turned on?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control

You might be able to modify the permissions using the command line.

C:\>ICACLS /?

ICACLS name /save aclfile [/T] [/C] [/L] [/Q]
    store the the acls for the all matching names into aclfile for
    later use with /restore.

ICACLS directory [/substitute SidOld SidNew [...]] /restore aclfile
                 [/C] [/L] [/Q]
    applies the stored acls to files in directory.

ICACLS name /setowner user [/T] [/C] [/L] [/Q]
    changes the owner of all matching names.

ICACLS name /findsid Sid [/T] [/C] [/L] [/Q]
    finds all matching names that contain an ACL
    explicitly mentioning Sid.

ICACLS name /verify [/T] [/C] [/L] [/Q]
    finds all files whose ACL is not in canonical for or whose
    lengths are inconsistent with ACE counts.

ICACLS name /reset [/T] [/C] [/L] [/Q]
    replaces acls with default inherited acls for all matching files

ICACLS name [/grant[:r] Sid:perm[...]]
       [/deny Sid:perm [...]]
       [/remove[:g|:d]] Sid[...]] [/T] [/C] [/L] [/Q]
       [/setintegritylevel Level:policy[...]]

    /grant[:r] Sid:perm grants the specified user access rights. With :r,
        the permissions replace any previouly granted explicit permissions.
        Without :r, the permissions are added to any previously granted
        explicit permissions.
<snip>

But don't ask me, it's outside my area without lots of research.
But be aware this can just as easily screw things up as fix them!

Another plan would be to create the directory structure using the machine with the least privilege, then just write the files on your machine.

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