Trying to get files off a scrap hard drive

My in laws have been using a really old dell pc for their body shop. Well they decided it is about time to upgrade, and I definitely agreed!

I am in the process of putting together a good working pc for them. I am just about done, but I am hitting a snag.



They have over 5 years of documents, pictures, and other files on the hard drive, they want. I see all the files with no problems, but when I go to try and open or copy and paste them, I keep getting told I dont have proper permissions to do so.

Generally when I plug up a hard drive, I can normally open up everything and even transfer stuff.

I have tried changing the security settings, and setting myself as the owner, not working either.

I have tried researching the net, but all that keeps coming up is for external plugin usb hard drives. Not sure what to type into Google to get what I need.

Originally Posted by Gangel

I was simply pointing out that he said he didn't get any google hits. I did. But the ones I got are very wide ranging. Not enough info. If it was me, I would just bulk pack them on a stick. Otherwise all you do is transfer **** over you don't actually need and clogs up the new computer.

He said that he can't copy and paste them because he keeps getting told he doesn't have permission to, therefore preventing him from putting them on a flash drive or "stick."

George, this may help you. Permissions won't take&#59; can't create/move files. - Microsoft Community I'm not a computer expert, but it looks like he has the same problem as you did. I hope this helps you out.

in before the lock

Originally Posted by badkarma506

have you switched the jumper over on the drive to enslave it?

It is to the far right..There is 4 spaces for it to go...how do I determine which one to place it on?

Originally Posted by Gangel

When I googled this problem, I came up with 10 different reasons. Either I'm looking in the wrong direction, or your google is broke.

and I came up with 1,000's situations like it as well. However, as mentioned in the first post of the thread, it was covering external hard drives. This is not an external hard drive. This is hooked to my laptop like any other hard drive, to be erased, but first I need the documents and files off of it.

I am not looking to get the junk files...just the important docs that my in laws would rather not see lost.

Cant hook up my external hard drive and do a switch, because their old pc is dead.

Originally Posted by Gravitar

He said that he can't copy and paste them because he keeps getting told he doesn't have permission to, therefore preventing him from putting them on a flash drive or "stick."

George, this may help you. Permissions won't take&#59; can't create/move files. - Microsoft Community I'm not a computer expert, but it looks like he has the same problem as you did. I hope this helps you out.

That is what I tried earlier doing, and no luck. It says I am the current owner, but wont let me open, copy and paste, nothing. I cant even see what the pictures looks like.

Maybe install/hook up the HD inside one of your running PC's that was too good to scrap. Maybe hook it as a secondary drive so you could drag the files/folders onto/into the new drive.

Originally Posted by Gangel

In your first post you said they just wanted to upgrade and you agreed to do it from that I got the assumption that the PC still worked.

There's a whole nother topic in here but I won't touch it.

Upgrading can mean a few different things really.

This desktop was so dusty when I opened it, it looked like tons of ash falling out and no it was in no fire.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Maybe install/hook up the HD inside one of your running PC's that was too good to scrap. Maybe hook it as a secondary drive so you could drag the files/folders onto/into the new drive.

I have a few other desktops like the one it came out of, so I guess I will try that. Just wish it would be easier than all this bs.

Originally Posted by Gangel

When I googled this problem, I came up with 10 different reasons. Either I'm looking in the wrong direction, or your google is broke.

that's funny.

I have a few other desktops like the one it came out of, so I guess I will try that. Just wish it would be easier than all this bs.

When your dealing with computers it is never easy.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

When your dealing with computers it is never easy.

AND the Mrs. usually had something to do with it.