Problem with Windows XP

James Muehlner

James Muehlner

Joined
Mar 3, 2003
Messages
726
Ok. I've got everything sorted out with my new computer except this one thing.

In one of my previous windows installations, I chose to make my home folder private, so that no-one else could access it. Now, when I re-installed windows, I installed on the same file system. This is all fine and good, except that I can't access the folder even now, not even in safe mode. It contains around 30 gb of stuff that I'd like to delete in order to free up space. If anyone has any idea of how to do this, I'd be very appreciative. I was able to extract all the data I needed with Linux, but since there is no built in ntfs write support, and I wasn't able to get ntfs-3g to work, I can't delete it from there.

I only want to free up the space. Any ideas from anyone would be very great.

Thanks.
 
Delete it in DOS

Start/Accessories/Command Prompt

It will default to the contents of Documents and Settings

cd c:/ enter will get you to the route of C: drive.

dir will give you a list of the contents
cd will 'Change Directory'

When you get to the folder 'delete' <space> and the folder name should do the job. I can't see that the folder is protected in DOS although with Windows runing it might. If so tap F8 as the computer is booting and choose Command Prompt from the choices.

If all that fails, back up everything to zip drive, CD or whatever and reformat.
 
It was protected in DOS.

I finally figured out how to do it though. It required lots of fiddling of permissions through XP's slightly bizarre permissions thingy in administrator mode in safe mode.

If I could only do chmod -r 777 *.

Sigh...

:D
 
Same thing, you just need to get used to it. No need for safe mode either. Just use an account with administrative permissions and take ownership of the folder, and all child object. Then you can do whatever you want with it.
 
you must be the administrator which I assume you set yourself up as.

browse to the folder. Right click > sharing/security >owner tab....you have to take ownership of the folder. That should do it. Might have to still then add yourself to full rights.

Oh ya, turn off simple file sharing:
in any explorer window: tools > folder options > view tab > scroll to the very last item and uncheck.
 
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