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Geek Culture / Access Denied to C drive

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Michael P
18
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Joined: 6th Mar 2006
Location: London (UK)
Posted: 17th Jul 2009 20:15 Edited at: 17th Jul 2009 20:16
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I can't access my C drive, which is the main hard drive my computer is running on.

I have tried restarting my computer and I haven't changed the hardware setup. I can still edit files and access other folders on the C drive, just not the C root. I can't create folders or files manually but am able to save using applications such as paint.




Any ideas how to fix this?

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Michael P
18
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Location: London (UK)
Posted: 17th Jul 2009 20:16
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Another screenshot.

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Lukas W
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Posted: 17th Jul 2009 20:22
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This is so funny, because just now I can't access a specific folder on my external HDD. I get the same error.

The last time I used it was on Linux, but I doubt that would have anything to do with it.

Sorry I can't be of any help other than to give you my support!

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John Y
Synergy Editor Developer
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Location: UK
Posted: 17th Jul 2009 22:14 Edited at: 17th Jul 2009 22:15
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Run



in the command prompt as an administrator. Restart when it tells you the drive is locked and it will run on next boot. The security descriptors have probably become corrupt.

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Michael P
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Posted: 17th Jul 2009 22:36 Edited at: 17th Jul 2009 22:37
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Did not solve the problem

I noticed something else, this happened before I followed your suggestion aswell. On startup after logging in I get this:


It disappears after a few seconds.

I have the same problem on other accounts of the computer.

Maybe my hard drive is about to die, at least I have everything important backed up

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John Y
Synergy Editor Developer
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Posted: 17th Jul 2009 22:41
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Do a

Quote: "sfc /scannow"


in the command prompt as an administrator. Run windows update to see if there any new drivers for your computer. Also install and run spybot search and destroy (or similar) and kick off a virus scan.

Did you see check disk run when you restarted?

I don't think it is a hardware problem as you are able to save using other applications. The alternative is to backup your files and try an XP repair install, and if that fails a full reformat. If you have any restore points then maybe you could try those.

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Michael P
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Posted: 17th Jul 2009 22:47
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Quote: "Did you see check disk run when you restarted?"

Yes it ran through the entire process but didn't say anything was wrong.

Thanks for your help, I'll try these things and get back to you.

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Grog Grueslayer
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Playing: Green Hell
Posted: 17th Jul 2009 23:12
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If you have administrator access you should be able to access the C drive. Is your computer virus and spyware free? If you don't know run Spybot Search and Destroy and AVG. If it still doesn't work after those programs restart and hit F8 before the Windows Logo shows up and go into Safe Mode. See if it still gives you the same error. If it does work there's still some program blocking access in normal windows mode.

Try turning off all the programs that run when Windows starts up. Hit Start, Run, and type in MSCONFIG and hit Ok. Go to the Startup tab and hit Disable All, Apply, Close, and Restart. When it reboots try accessing the root again. If it does work it was one of those programs loading up when Windows Starts. You can run MSCONFIG again and slowly add programs at the startup till you see the error again. Once you know what program causes it DESTROY IT. If it still doesn't work... you may have no other alternative but to reformat.

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tiresius
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Location: MA USA
Posted: 17th Jul 2009 23:12
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I have gotten that Windows installer for the Catalyst drivers when I log in as my wife's account. It must have something to do with access to _something_ and the specific user you are logged in as. For my other users C:\Program Files\ is not available/protected, perhaps yours has one level further with C:\ root not being available as well. I have XP SP3 I believe. This stuff started happening after XP3.

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David R
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Posted: 17th Jul 2009 23:15
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Boot in safe mode and see if you get the same thing. I've seen this happen when the folder sharing mechanism goes haywire (for example, when you 'unshare' the root of the drive, it also cuts the user who did it off from their own drive and other strange things like that)

If it happens under safe mode, you may have a bigger problem. Whilst you're there though, check for any other user accounts on the safe mode login - you may not actually be the administrator, and this could cause the issue too (your machine could be a zombie, for example, and something else has stolen admin control)

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Omega gamer 89
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posted: 18th Jul 2009 08:52 Edited at: 18th Jul 2009 08:53
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It says "file system: RAW". Notice how it says both capacity and free space are 0?
I'm going to guess that that is your problem. I suggest backing up everything important, then formatting it to NTFS.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Location: The Fifth Plane of Oblivion
Posted: 18th Jul 2009 12:34
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If you don't have access to a drive you can't find out what filesystem it contains. So the readout defaults to 0, or RAW.

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SunnyKatt
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Location: USA
Posted: 18th Jul 2009 13:44
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Quote: "This is so funny, because just now I can't access a specific folder on my external HDD. I get the same error.

The last time I used it was on Linux, but I doubt that would have anything to do with it.

Sorry I can't be of any help other than to give you my support!
"


I had a similar problem. You have to modify the permissions in linux to access the files again.

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Michael P
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Posted: 20th Jul 2009 14:27
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Looks like I've fixed the problem

I ran:


and that reset all security settings on my C drive.


WOOT!

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