No, no more viruses. Got that problem sorted and the one about low download speeds.
I recently purchased a new desktop computer, an Acer Aspire M1600. this came pre-loaded with Vista Home Premium.
My pride and joy laptop computer gave up the ghost some time ago after one of the dogs trampled on the screen and cracked it; this coupled with a typical ‘whoops weve done it again’ Hewlett-Packard dodgy motherboard which overheated left me with a laptop that wont switch on and despite its original cost is really beyond economical repair. Its OS is/was Windows Xp Home. I want to transfer the files from the laptops hard drive to the new desktop, and to this end have purchased a 2.5” hard drive enclosure which takes the laptop hard drive and is plugged into the new computer via a USB cable.
OK so far, the new computer recognises the external harddrive and lists all of the files contained therein, but it wont let me access the files. I think its all to do with the fact that initially the laptop had three users all with password protected administrator priviledges.
Unfortunately, because I purchased the new computer here in Spain, the Vista version is all in Spanish with no recourse to English.
I’m sure that the instructions pertaining to access of the files on the external harddrive are all there in the help files but because its all in Spanish I just havent got a clue…
If there is anyone out there that might be able to point me in the right direction so that I can take charge of the files on the laptop hard drive I would greatly appreciate it…
When Zania has gone off to bed Im going to try to install this on our other desktop computer and see what happens. The older desktop is Windows XP Home same as the laptop and its all in English! So I might have a bit more luck…
foxbat i know this not going to help but BACK UP YOU FILES EVER WEEK ARE DAY , god in the office i work in we have to back up file and the office studio at home i have to do it very night , you need to flash the pc with a cables you just dont buy in the local pc shop , so bing it to some one that know what there doing are you have no files any more
and get that person to back them up on a dvds so you got copys
i got 2 exturnal hard drives will back up my daily work and end every month i back up again on to dvds lot music beds jingles mp3 here so have to do it as i would file share with outhers
jurdy
You make a lot of sense Jurdy. One of the ideas we had was to transfer or delete some of the junk on the laptop hard drive and use it for temporary storage, then download to DVD as you suggest.
Our problem at the moment is that the OS on the new computer is doing exactly what it should and denying access to the password protected files that are already on it.And its not a Vista thing because we get the same result when we try to transfer to our older computer which, like the laptop uses XP Home.
We cannot copy them without first gaining access so its a problem. We know the drive and the cables and the interface card between the cable and the hard drive are OK because I was able to tranfer a file from the new computer onto the laptop hard drive and then access it with no problem, and I can transfer non-password protected files from the laptop hd to the new computer.
Its all to do with file permissions and ownership. but because we cannot access the login screen for the laptop we cannot change the passwords or permissions.
Ive invented a new word; its TECHNOGEEK which is the language used by the new computer. Unfortunately because its Spanish Vista it becomes Technogeek Espanol and Babelfish doesnt list it as a viable translatable language!
Sounds like quite the problem. I use Mac with the new Leopard OS and Time Machine is amazing as a backup utility. Switch now and forever be happy with your computer. 😊
But seriously, when it says they’re password protected, does it not ask you for a username/password? That would make sense at least.
Cannot apply password, because the password is applied at user login, and because that is part of the basic XP program and dedicated to one specific computer, ie the laptop; removing the hard drive and using it as an additional drive to a different computer puts the original login out of reach!
I have actually solved the problem; its very long and drawn out process but essentially it involves going into the properties for each folder, changing the ownership of the folder under the security heading, then applying new new permissions to the folder. This gives access to the folder contents, but the story doesnt end there because I have then got to repeat the exercise for each file contained within the folder.
For instance, say I have a folder called ‘Music’ changing the permissions gives access to sub folders called by the individual Album. Change premissions of the sub folders to give access to the individual tracks on the album and then change permissions for each individual track on the album…
Given that I have something in the region of 100 albums in the main folder and each album has upwards of 12/15 tracks, thats a hell of a lot of permission changes…
Then there is the video file…
Then the My Pictures file…
Then there is all of wifeys files and she has about twice as much on that drive as I do…
I have actually solved the problem; its very long and drawn out process but essentially it involves going into the properties for each folder, changing the ownership of the folder under the security heading, then applying new new permissions to the folder. This gives access to the folder contents, but the story doesnt end there because I have then got to repeat the exercise for each file contained within the folder.
Oh, I thought you’d have already tried that. 😉 When you set the permissions on a top level folder, is there a check box to have those permissions cascade down to all subfolders? That might make it go quicker.
Google around for a utility to do this kind of thing too. Perhaps even write a little batch file (okay, that might be pushing it).
It all stemmed from the fact that being Spanish Vista gobbledegeek I needed lots of visits to Babelfish and references to a good Spanish dictionary to get as far as this..!
Possibly there is a check box but I havent actually seen one…If there is one ot will save a lot of effort thats for sure!
Thanks for the suggestion, I will check it out. Just about to start on the First of ten Genesis albums….
As for writing a batch file Im not sure that Spanish Vista would understand it…even if I knew how to do it!
Its all geek to me….!
Well, Spanish Vista still uses DOS and DOS commands are based on English with no Spanish translations. Theoretically you could write a batch file that goes through your harddrive, authenticates with each folder, then sets new permissions on that folder, then moves onto the next folder.
If you want to switch Vista into english you can only do so in vista ultimate edition, not in your home premium edition (Suggested retail price for full package product, $319.95 USD. Suggested upgrade retail price, $219.95 USD).
all the help files in windows are online to english so you won’t need to use vista help on your pc (just do it through the net) http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-US/default.mspx
To recover your data from the old laptop I would recommend using pc inspector file recover, its a free program that does what most people will charge hundreds of ?‘s for in the UK.
Use that to recover the files to the new hard drive in your new laptop.
Back up the files!!!!!!!
once you have a backed up copy of the originals then attempt to open them, that way if they are corrupted you won’t have to go through the whole process of rescuing the files again.
I would strongly recommend getting a copy of a Knoppix DVD (or download Knoppix for free and burn it). This is a Linux live DVD and if you put it in your laptop and reboot it will open the Knoppix operating system and detect all your hardware and file systems. Be patient - it takes a few minutes.
If you have your two laptops connected these will show up as hard drive icons on the desktop. Right-click on the icons and select the option to make them writeable - you can then drag and drop your files anywhere you like. It will ignore any password protection on the Windows system.
Don’t worry - the operating system does not interact with your files until you give it permission to do so. I have used Knoppix for years as a trouble-shooting aid and it has helped me rescue quite a few dead systems. There is a very good website for this - just Google Knoppix.
We buy 2 laptops a year for business and we always buy Spanish and then we upgrade to the English version but this means calling Microsoft to get the right disc that is legal and will allow updates. My partner just bought an Acer 5920 and then upgraded to English Professional User, he has a 64 bit machine.
The cost is about 120 GBPs but that was for professional, the home version will not be as expensive.
Alternatively I do know a good computer geek who could sort this for you quick smart, it does sound like you have pretty much sorted your problem though, I bet you have learnt some good Spanish in the process eh 😉
Lesson number 1 - never leave a laptop on the floor with the lid open when there are animals around, they tend to think they can just trample all over them, I have 3 cats and they like to curl up on the keyobard and sleep! However, dogs are heavier than cats 😉
If you need that phone number of the geek, let me know and I will send it over to you
Another new word for you guys - a NOTECH apparently this is someone who knows nothing about laptops/pcs and all the geeks are using it hehehe made me laugh when I heard on the radio the other day
geeks are using it hehehe made me laugh when I heard on the radio the other day hope it was me that you head on the air lol
sorry too the lads at cost , used the wrong link back to the studio mmmm now that was fun ...
