Access Denied when trying to Open Folder

[Inktec]

Hi, a client brought a XP Home, Compaq lap top in complaining that when the OS boots, it is extremely slow and in fact when I checked it, it was impossible to open applications, documents etc, yet this is a P4 2.8, 512MB unit. I decided to try and install AVG 7 and Ad-Aware, however these would not install, I removed the HDD and scanned the unit with another machine, I scanned the HDD with AVG 7 and the latest Ad-aware, surprisingly no virus’s were detected, however over 100 adware files and registry entries were found. Now the issue. When I attempted to access the main user documents, I get an error, access denied and the properties of the folder indicated a folder size of 0K. This I cannot understand.

Has the physical HDD been the issue all along?
Could the folder be password protected?

What could I do either access the folder or retrieve the users data, as usual client has no backup and is now in a state of panic.

HELP. Botswana

[Miz]

See the MS KB article, How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP. Following the instructions there should give you access to the folder on the client's drive.

[Inktec]

thanks, that's sorted the problem, help is very much appreciatted, Thank you

[Inktec]

hi, during the process of taking permissions the process keeps hanging and on a re-boot of my own machine, the clients drive is showing different drive sizes, I have tried taking the permissions again, yet it hangs again. It's almost like the data has vanished, is this possible ?. Any other suggestions.