Member Avatar for rishu_k

Hey guys.I am new to this forum..I needed some help.I am unable to access my c drive.whenever i double click on it I get "c:\ access is denied",I can run it by right clicking and clicking on search,I have win xp sp 2..The file system is FAT..please help.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Merlin33069

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A short, practical checklist for with notes on s suggestion.

Because FAT32 does not implement NTFS-style file ACLs, an Explorer "Access is denied" on the system drive usually points at one of three things: file-system corruption, a problem inside Explorer (shell extension or profile), or malware interfering with folder enumeration. Converting to NTFS can be useful later, but it is not the safe first step and will not fix underlying corruption — back up first.

Try these steps in order (quick rationale and links included):

  1. Backup user data immediately. If Explorer fails, attach the disk to another machine or boot a Linux/WinPE USB to copy files.
  2. Run a thorough disk check from outside the running system (Recovery Console / Windows PE) to repair on-disk structures; see Microsoft chkdsk documentation: chkdsk.
  3. Scan offline with a rescue disk or a different anti-malware tool (rescue ISOs avoid active malware hiding): consider vendor rescue disks or on-demand tools such as Malwarebytes: Malwarebytes.
  4. Test access from a console and from another account (create a second local administrator) to rule out an Explorer/profile issue. If double-clicking fails but a search works, that pattern often indicates root-folder enumeration problems.
  5. Disable non-Microsoft shell extensions (use ShellExView) to rule out bad extensions: ShellExView.
  6. Run System File Checker if system files are suspect: sfc /scannow (requires XP CD). See sfc.

If disk checks complete cleanly and files are safe, consider converting to NTFS only if you need NTFS features; always back up first and review the Microsoft guidance for convert: convert.

Useful quick commands to run after backup (from an elevated command prompt):

chkdsk c: /f /r
sfc /scannow
convert c: /fs:ntfs

If problems persist after these actions, remove the drive, attach it to another PC, recover data, and rebuild the OS — that is the most reliable recovery path.

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Member Avatar for Merlin33069

hmm

well one thing is fat sucks, this should not be happening, try to upgrade to ntfs (can xp run on fat) (or is it fat32) if that doesnt help, are you running as admin?

if so then is it home or pro?

Member Avatar for rishu_k

its pro, version2..It was running perfectly fine until yest..Dont know what happened after i was online for sometime yest.I ran Kasperski also,but cant access c:\.

Member Avatar for rishu_k

oh and yes it is FAT32

Member Avatar for Merlin33069

convert to ntfs
then because its fat32 now, it might not work, put after that i have a way for you to change the permissions

and if that doesnt work

i CAN get you into ANYTHING you want

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