Accessing Files On Old Hard Drive/Driver Problem

[jaunty angle]

Basically, my last computer broke so I bought a new one. I take the hard drive [which was fine] out of my old one and put it in my new one so all my music/random files etc. can still be accessed. However despite recognising it as a hard drive and some of the files being available a huge amount just don't seem to be accessible. I think that perhaps those that were in the 'my documents' are now not accessible as I'm logging in under a new profile on my new computer, however I'm not sure of this. [There's about 30 gig of music that I simply can't find.]


Another problem is that I have lost the CD to install the drivers for my modem to work [I'm not posting this from home.] However that drivers should be on my old hard drive so I'm hoping I can somehow make my compter realise that it can recognise the modem and I can finally start using my computer again.

I'm running windows XP.

Thanks for any help/insight.

[photolady]

Do you an error message when you try to access the My documents folder?

As for your modem, you'll need to find drivers for it on the manufacturer's website, either the modem site or the old computer's website. It won't work with the driver on the old drive, you can't copy the driver files to the new drive.

[jaunty angle]

On my friend's advice I made hidden files visible and surely enough inside the 'Documents and Settings' folder is a hidden folder called 'Owner', when I try to access it I am told that it is not accessible. My friend says I have to tell the drive that I own it, telling me to 'Right click and select 'security' ', however I have no such option. There is 'sharing and security' but this doesn't seem to relate at all, there's an option so that other users can access the drive, and an option relating to networking which isn't relevant.


On the drivers problem, you are right. Despite finding the relevant files on the old drive in the /windows/system32/drivers folder there is no way to make my computer recognise they are there. Computers are sillybillys.

[photolady]

In file sharing, the option is actually buried a bit deeper. Go to Tools>Folder Options>View>untick the option at the bottom for "use simple file sharing"
Follow the instructions in the Microsoft instructions below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881


And if you post what computer you have, I can help you find the modem driver.

[jaunty angle]

I Have Internet, I am mighty.


Thanks for the other advice, I'll see if that works.

[jaunty angle]

May I be the first to say I hate computers, I tried to follow your [and microsoft's] advice however:

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6699/folderoptionsez4.jpg

I don't have that option. And if I try to get to security anyway:

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2892/folderpropertiesrk1.jpg

It's not there either! Also don't get confused [although I'm sure you wouldn't] and think I am in 'owner properties' 'owner' is simply the name of the folder.

[oracle128]

Try following this article (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421). It's basically the same instructions, but it words it better because there are some differences in the steps depending on if you use Windows XP Home or Pro; the instructions in photolady's link assume XP Pro, whereas it looks like you have XP Home.

[jaunty angle]

Here's a funny story:

A man once logged into safe mode, gave himself the relevant permissions to get into the 'owner' folder, and then found he hadn't specified the right option resulting in each folder inside the 'owner' folder still being inaccessible. How he laughed.