no permission, vista is stuck!!!!

[robyr77]

Ok, I really need some serious help here!!!!!
Please anybody....this is what happened:
Last night I was trying to get rid of some of the virtual memory on my laptop...
It has 320 Gb and 260 Gb are occupied so since I only have 80 Gb on the HD, I was trying to fix the problem...well instead to fix the problem I made a mess...somehow I changed the users and Admin' options, and I changed all the permissions to the accounts...two accounts!! I was trying to get control of the system like a TrustedInstaller..instead....the laptop works but I have no access to anything!!!!

Right now I basically have no permission...only reading ...NO ACCESS to the hard disk ...no access to most of the systems' folders...

In prompt I can not really do anything since it denies every my request...

How can I restore all the permission... I was trying to figure out the ICACLS option but I dunno what to do...what to write...PLEASE HELP I AM VERY DESPERATE!!!!
SOMEBODY HELP!!!!!!

 

[DevHunt009]

Guys, I have Section 8 and I tried to download it on my computer, but it won't work. I have Windows Vista Home Premium which meets the requirements right? I also tried to download it on Windows XP SP3. Why wont it work?

 

[niemiro]

Hi,

Try it from Safe Mode, often you can then access files, even if you have locked yourself out of them. You could also try System Restore. Don't worry yet, it is EXTREMLY unlikely that we cannot unlock your files.

Here is how to take ownership of a file and then change its permissions from Command Prompt. I have used the C:\Users\ folder as an example. Do not change %username% to your actual User Name, leave it as it is.

takeown /f C:\Users\*
icacls C:\Users\* /grant:r %username%:f

If this does not work, download the small program attched to this post (the .exe is the same as the .exe in the .zip file - someone else had a problem with it) This program will remove all permissions from the folder or drive specified, so make sure you add SYSTEM and yourself back at the very least. DO NOT MISUSE THIS PROGRAM!

• Download the small program and put it on your desktop.
• Start Command Prompt.
• Navigate to your desktop ("cd C:\Users\{Enter your Account Name}\Desktop" and press enter)
• Type "Takeown.exe C:\" and press enter.
• Right click on your C:\ drive and give full access to SYSTEM and yourself and then CAREFULLY re-assign your permissions. If this does not work, you can try this program from safe mode.

If this does not work,

• Make sure you exchange "{Account Name}" with your actual account name such as "Richard". Sounds obvious, but it has been done.
• Make sure you included the ".exe" after "takeown" i.e. "takeown.exe". In theory it should not matter, but it is best to do it.
• Make sure there is a space between "takeown.exe" and "C:\" i.e. "takeown.exe C:\
• Double click on the exe from the desktop to see if you can make out "Must specify a file name:" to check the .exe works
• Here is my sample command:

"cd C:\Users\Richard\Desktop"
"takeown.exe C:\"

If this does not work, try another tack:

• Create a shortcut to the .exe on your desktop.
• Open the shortcut's property page.
• Under the Shortcut tab,
• In the target box, Add a space and then C:\ after the last quote.
• i.e.: "C:\Users\Richard\Desktop\takeown.exe" C:\
• Then double click the shortcut.

READ ME!!: On the C:\ drive, give full control to SYSTEM, Autenticated Users, Administrators and Users.

Hope this helps, if not, post back.

Richard

 

[niemiro]

Guys, I have Section 8 and I tried to download it on my computer, but it won't work. I have Windows Vista Home Premium which meets the requirements right? I also tried to download it on Windows XP SP3. Why wont it work?

Hi DevHunt009,

Could you please create a new thread under Gaming. That way, everyone will be able to help you fully.

Thanks,

Richard

 

[robyr77]

ok i am gonna try it right now...but what folder am i supposed to restore...that is where i am confused...
Eventually i can try to download the file...hopefully the security setting won't block it...I have spent basically all night on this issue...I did not even sleep...
Well....I am about to try right now...

 

[niemiro]

Hi,

Sorry I did not make this clear. With the takeown.exe I sent you, use it on the C:\ drive directly. You cannot use takeown or icacls on the C:\ drive directly, so this will be of less help.

Richard

 

[robyr77]

well I tried typing Takeown /f C:\system32/* in different ways but I always have this answer : ERROR: ACCESS IS DENIEDù

The ICACLS would work but not working the first one it does not pick anything to transfer....

What do I do now?? Do I try tdownloading the file you posted???

 

[robyr77]

Niemiro unfortunately I have NO access to the Hard Drive, when I open it from : Start, Computer, I see the hard drive as Access Denied(C ...
I tried on safe mode to recover.... (Start,Accessories,Window Explorer...right click )....some permission giving full power to a new created account but nothing changed, I run as admin but the system does not see me as admin...I dunno ....I am just tryng to restore all the permission but it seems not possible...

 

[robyr77]

Well this is my last update....
The first solution does not work... I tried it on promptdos...

As the second I can not download anything since i have no permission and privileges...

Same thing for the third solution...I cannot change my username...I have no permission or enough privilege...

I REALLY LOCKED MYSELF OUT OF THE SYSTEM....oh god...I dunno what to do!!!!!
I lost any kind of privilege in the machine...

I am trying with the fourth solution but i am skeptical....it seems not working too...

Please Helppp Niemiro !!!!

 

[robyr77]

ok I was able to switch user from "me" to Guest user....there are only 2 users in this computer now!!!

So from the Guest user I did this :

Windows/ All programs/ Accessories/ Window Explorer (right click) Properties Tab

Security Now here I see 4 users

1 SYSTEM
2 "Me" ( with 2 name ,dunno why??!!!??)
3 Guest ("me" and guest)
4 Administrators ("me" and administrators)

none of them can hava access to the SPECIAL PERMISSION...I have no way to click that and allow the special permission..it won't click.
I need to restore everything..now I am on Guest user...I was able to add some permission to Guest user but still there are important tasks which i have no access to!!!

I hope when i switch back to "me" user i will be able to keep the changes!!!!



update:

The problem is that from "me" user as admin, I have no access to the hard drive :C
I am kind of with a lot of restriction as I am writing this message.

Instead with the Guest user...I have access to the hard drive C: but i do not know what to do now !!!!!

 

[niemiro]

Hi,

I will think about and come back to you on what to do. However, ignore the special permission, it will always be greyed out and is not what you want to change. As long as Full Control is checked for Everyone (add this group if you can), you can do anything you want.

Icacls and takeown will not work until we have unlocked more, but have you tried my takeown.exe from the Guest account? That might work.

Good luck,

Richard

 

[robyr77]

Well...Richard thank to you I was able to unlock it !!!!!!!!!!!!
The trick was all in the tabs....I had to change all the permissions from my Guest account...right click and security...in the two basic points, window/accessories/windowexplorer one and then...window/computer and Hard disk.
Basically if you lock yourself up, most of the time you will be able to unlock you out logging as another user, and anyway there may be a hidden user that you can use in these situations, for what I have understood.
Luckily I avoided to use the icacls and stuff...I did not even know what to do with them, I can figure out things but programming and codes drive me crazy.

So, my advice for the users who will read this post is....Never change the setup or permission option in the system if you are not 100% SURE of what you are doing!!!

Said so...the problem that got me in that trouble is still there...
I have a 320 Gb Hard Drive...and it is full for 280 Gb.
I checked all my files and more or less I only have 100 GB of programs and applications.
Why is that? Is there anything I can do to straight up this issue??
I do not wanna find myself in one month with the Hard Disk completely full with programs that are not really there, you know what I mean?
Of course this time before to take any action I would rather to ask to someone expert like you!

Rob

 

[niemiro]

Hi Rob,

Really glad you have got it fixed. Thanks for providing feedback on how you got it fixed, it really helps us and others who have the same problem.

The Windows folder is about 7gb, so not a huge amount. Your documents folder can get very big, and can vary from a couple of mega-bytes to 120gb (mine!) The temp folder can build up,and it is worth investigating (main one is "C:\Windows\Temp"). Make sure your Program Files folder is not bigger than you think it is, it can grow! Another common place for disk space to stack up without users noticing is the hidden "System Volume Information" folder directly on the C:\ drive. Mine is currently at 50gb, though it can get a lot bigger or be made a lot smaller (less than 1gb).

This folder stores System Information such as System Restore points and sometimes other data such as Shadow Backups. If you open it, (you will have to change the permissions of that folder first ) you will find many meaningless files. DO NOT DELETE this folder or any of its files, but you can limit its size (reducing System Restore point numbers and other detrimental effects)

It is probably best to work out where all this extra disk space is going. If you have any more problems, just post back. We are always here for you.

Richard

 

[robyr77]

My pleasure, If I can help somebody else with my recent experience on this matter, that would be great at least I did not stay up all night for nothing. )

I do not remember If I told you that my laptop is HP G60-230US.

Well I did as you said...I took a look at the temp folder and it has something like 10 MB of stuff....I double checked going inside the files...I thought there may be some file not reported or hidden in the folder, but everything seems ok in that folder.

For the "system volume information" folder... I can not really find it
I opened my C :\ and all i see is : (Folders)

ab547a6de7b5416xxxx (Silverlight2.0 plus a folder with Windows 6.0 update)
Intel
Magellan (my gps)
mcamx
Music
Perflogs
Program files
SW setup
Users
Windows

It is pretty weird... at the same time my second disk RECOVERY (D with 10.8 GB is almost full I only have 32.00 Mb left...and its space used line is red!!!
Why does it have more than 10 GB to recovery ???? that is a mistery to me??
I do not get it!!
Any suggestion?

Rob


update!!!

Yes the document' folder is a crucial point !!
As you said, tons of files are going to be stored there from the system so after me double checking it I realized that...there was this folder where I download all the Torrents, music and stuff...that was pretty big...with 100 GB ( i had to go into it )
So after doind a deep clean up!!!
I freed a lot of space in the HD.... I am actually using 120 GB in the system... still I am going to investigate further.... 120 GB are still too much I think...

If anything comes up to your mind about the D: disk ( the recovery one)
(it is filled,I dunno what to do with it....) let me know.

Rob

 

[niemiro]

Hi,

You should do nothing with the D:\ drive. It stores system files such that if you completely corrupt your OS, you can recover it without your Vista disk, and it is so much quicker and easier and better and contains manufacturer tools and drivers. In theory, you can delete it, but you may be losing your only way to recover your computer when it breaks. DO NOT delete it!

You won't be able to see System Volume Information unless you show hidden files and folders. Don't worry though, just forget about it.

Hope this helps,

Richard