SOLVED Permissions Access to hard disk

Fixing a desktop for a driend but it is US. So trying to recover data for him and hitting problems. When I remove his SATA drive and use a USB connection on my PC to copy his Pics and Docs etc I get a “you do not have permission message” I got past that but as you try to access the data each folder comes up with same message I have never understood the permissions/security tabs how do I access them?
It was originally running XP and was password protected, HD will not boot when used as a USB boot disk on my PC (to try to access and then change password) as it starts XP but it blue screens part way through boot up and then it reboots continuously.
Ideas welcomed.
Answer #1
No takers with info?
Answer #2
Do you have permissions to access the root folder of the drive ? If you do right click properties> security tab > advanced > change permissions > add > type everyone in the find box and hit enter > check full control > close > check “replace all child object permissions” > apply.
You can then copy the files afterwards repeat the process to remove the entry returning the drive to its original state
Answer #3
ED-E replied: Do you have permissions to access the root folder of the drive ? If you do right click properties> security tab > advanced > change permissions > add > type everyone in the find box and hit enter > check full control > close > check "replace all child object permissions" > apply.
You can then copy the files afterwards repeat the process to remove the entry returning the drive to its original stateThanks for help still struggling though. When you say root of drive – I am accessing via sata – usb connection on my laptop with the drive in question as an external drive. I have followied all of your comments the bit that doesn’t work is the replace all child object permissions it just tells me that I do not have permissin to change etc. Any other suggestions welcomed al I want to do is retreive his data for him!!
Answer #4
I’m pretty sure that by root of the drive he was referring to the drive letter (right click it>properties..)) it really shouldn’t be that complicated. But if your having difficulties, You could just use a Linux Live CD (such as parted magic) to access it, In Linux, NTFS permissions are ignored so you wouldn’t have a problem accessing the data. Do keep in mind however that NTFS-3G (Linux driver used for NTFS access) has a very slow write speed.
Answer #5
SOLVED this solution is worth remembering I found a link to takeownership simply right click drive or folder etc and it does it all. Link is http://www.blogsdna.com/2173/add-take-ownership-option-in-right-click-context-menu-of-windows-7.htm Thanks for the help though