Trying to access folders

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help. I have a hard drive that was taken out of a Vista laptop, I'm trying to recover some files from it following a boot sector virus problem so it can be restored.

I have it plugged into a Windows XP Pro machine, I can see the drive and I can see the Users folder. However I can only see the Default and Public folders below that. I know the other folders I am looking for are there as a collegue of mine viewed the drive on a Unix laptop and could see them just fine.

I have made myself owner of the users folder and subfolders (I am an administrator) and given myself all the permissions, but I still can't see the folders. Can anyone let me know what I can do now?

Thanks

 

Have you ticked the box to show hidden files in folders in folder options? They shouldn't be hidden, but just in case.

Could you access the drive from a command prompt and navigate to the folders you want and copy from there?

Not sure if either of these would work. :wave:wave

 

Are you trying to access through disk management, or, from a usb caddy.
Could your freind not copy them from his laptop to a usb stick, or, burn to disc?
Have you tried to run a virus scanner from your XP system , first, as you runtthe risk of carrying the infection onto your own.
I would advise you to post to the Malware section, for advice on the boot virus, before accessing the hard drive further- they are brilliant, malware fighters , I reckon.

 

Hi,

Thanks for your help -

brandypeppy - the hidden files bit is ticked.

baklogic - It's in a USB caddy, and my friend couldn't do anything with the files because the laptop wouldn't boot.

The drive seems to be partioned - I can see 2 drive letters F which says RECOVERY and G which says its not accesible - the parameter is incorrect. However G is the one with the data.

However I tracked down Active@ File Recovery from this fine site and now I can happily copy the files from the drive to my PC, with an eye obviously on checking for all nasty things.

Thanks again.