Question : How to access password-protected "My Documents" on corrupted Windows XP partition from other working partition

Hi all,

I have a PC with two Windows XP Home partitions. The PC has many more than two partitions in total, but two of them have installations of Windows XP. It is set-up as a dual boot machine, with the usual option to choose which Windows installation to boot into at start-up.

On one partition, there are several user accounts. This is used by the kids for games, music, etc. The other partition has one user account, and this is used for business purposes. The idea was to keep the kids activities separate from the business installation, just in case they managed to mess up the PC. Which it appears they have duly done.

The kids partition / installation has never been the most stable, what with installing/uninstalling games, shareware, freeware, and who knows what. Following an online Windows update a few days ago, this partition has now become completely unusable. It will not allow a user to log in - the machine crashes once the password is entered. I've searched for solutions, tried many ideas, and come to the end of my tether with it. It seems reinstalling the OS is the only solution.

The business partition is fine, no problems whatsoever.

The problem is, I need to retrieve documents from the "My Documents" folders on the kids partition before wiping it clean. All except one of them has had a password for their user account, which as you know prevents other users from accessing the documents in their "My Documents" folder.

From the working business partition, I can access (i.e. explore) the kids partition. However, I cannot open the "My Documents" on it - it gives an "Access is denied" error. The one account that did not have a password is no problem - I can (and have) browse to and retrieve the documents in that particular "My Documents" folder.

Can anyone help/advise me on how to retrieve the documents in the other user's My Documents folders? I have the passwords for the accounts in question, but I don't see how that helps. Should I create user accounts on the working partition with the same names and passwords, and somehow link these to the My Documents folders on the corrupted kids partition? Is there any way to achieve what I need at all?

You can imagine the types of documents we're talking about - homework, college projects, personal letters, photos, etc. Fairly unreplaceable stuff. So if there is any way at all, I'll greatly appreciate any help.

One thought - would reinstalling Windows XP on the corrupted partition erase or remove the My Documents folders on that partition?

Apologies for the long description, and thanks in advance everyone,

Simon (in Dublin, Ireland).

Answer : How to access password-protected "My Documents" on corrupted Windows XP partition from other working partition

Hello Shimmie =)

Have u tried Taking Ownership of this file\folder as described below.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418

Note: If you cannot see the Security tab, then you will have to goto Explorer>Tools>Folder Options>View and untick Simple File Sharing, apply and now u shud get that tab in XP PRO !!
For XP Home edition, you will have to boot into safemode and have to login as Administrator to access the Security tab, coz in xp home this tab cannot be visible to standard users !!