Member Avatar for juice

Hi, I used to have only one HD in my computer. It was a SATA main HD, a 250GB one, but now I set it as a secondary master because the primary master being a new 160GB one. I did not yet wipe the data on the 250GB HD because I need some of the files copied over to the main HD. So basically I have a version of XP running on my 160GB HD, and another XP still on my 250GB version.

Unfortunately, now that the 160 GB drive is the new master, I cannot seem to access the files in the 250 GB HD for copying over. It keeps saying not accessible. How do I get around this? Is it possible to get around? Is this an NTFS protection issue? Thanks!

  • 3 Contributors
  • 2 Replies
  • 122 Views
  • 3 Weeks Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by goldeagle2005

Dani AI

Generated

— the symptom you describe usually comes down to Windows file ACLs or file encryption, not physical failure. ’s hardware checks are still worth doing (drive visible in BIOS and Disk Management), and was on the right track about permissions. The practical checklist below gives safe, concrete steps to get your files.

First, confirm the OS sees the disk and it has a drive letter (Start -> Run -> diskmgmt.msc). If the partition is healthy and has a letter, try taking ownership. On XP Professional: open any folder, Tools -> Folder Options -> View -> uncheck “Use simple file sharing,” then right‑click the folder/drive -> Properties -> Security -> Advanced -> Owner. Choose an Administrators account, check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects,” apply, then give your account or Administrators Full Control.

If you prefer a command-line shortcut (run Command Prompt as an administrator), you can grant Administrators full control recursively with cacls (be careful; this changes ACLs):

cacls "D:\path\to\folder" /E /G Administrators:F /T

Replace the path and include quotes if there are spaces. Back up critical data first — misusing ACL commands can lock things further.

Important: if files were protected with EFS (Windows’ Encrypting File System), ownership/ACL changes won’t help; those files require the original user certificate/private key to decrypt. If EFS might have been used, temporarily set the 250GB disk as the primary boot drive and boot the original XP to export the user’s certificate (or copy the files while logged into that account).

If Windows fixes fail, boot a Linux live CD or Windows PE (which bypasses Windows ACLs for file copying) or put the drive in an external enclosure and copy the data from another machine. Always make a sector-level image or full backup before bulk ACL edits or formatting.

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for nizzy1115

Hi, I used to have only one HD in my computer. It was a SATA main HD, a 250GB one, but now I set it as a secondary master because the primary master being a new 160GB one. I did not yet wipe the data on the 250GB HD because I need some of the files copied over to the main HD. So basically I have a version of XP running on my 160GB HD, and another XP still on my 250GB version.

Unfortunately, now that the 160 GB drive is the new master, I cannot seem to access the files in the 250 GB HD for copying over. It keeps saying not accessible. How do I get around this? Is it possible to get around? Is this an NTFS protection issue? Thanks!

Did you have the sata drive connected when you reinstalled the new os on the new hard drive? Is it completly plugged in right now? Is the drive disabled in the bios?

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

The issue is due to NTFS access permissions. You need to reset the Ntfs access permissions

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.