Problem with XP Pro and permissions
 

I work with this guy, John, who uses his laptop for his classes. He has some stuff (he won't really say what although I assume it's probably porn) that he didn't want anyone just browsing through.

Using permissions in XP Pro he managed to deny all access to this folder. The problem is he denied access to the administrators group. His account is in the administrator's group, so now he has no access to the folder...at all.

I've been running XP Pro from my desktop for a while, but I'm not really all that familiar with setting security permissions and such since I really have no use for it. I've looked at any number of 'solutions' to the problem, but they all assume that the administrator has full access to the folder/item, so, I'm kind of....stuck.

Is there anyway to fix this or is it a lost cause?

Any and all help appreciated...

When this happened to me, I just reinstalled windows, and took over all the permissions. That may not be an option though.

Is the drive formatted as NTFS or FAT32? Something to try would be to get a linux livecd, like Knoppix, and see if you can mount the drive and modify the folder in linux. Since a livecd is just a bootable linux install on a CD that doesn't modify your system, at worst you're out a coaster.

I'm gonna assume his laptop isn't on a domain, since his user account is an administrative level account (as you pointed out with the admin group stuff) he can just go back in to the security permissions screen and allow himself access again...It'd seem like this shouldn't be possible but in the computer religion (which all computer geeks/nerds follow) rule number one is "The Administrator is GOD, and as such has godly powers"...hope this helps

It's formatted NTFS. I happen to have a Knoppix CD laying around here somewhere...

Maybe I'm going about it wrong, but that I've tried. When he is signed on (or any member of the administrator group) right clicking the folder and tagging the security tab brings up something along the lines of...(and I hope I remember this right..)
xxxx does not have permission to view or edit permissions....can take ownership and change? auditing settings...

You should see both a Sharing and Security tab. No? Are you using simple file sharing?

Open a folder, Tools menu, Folder Options. In the list, uncheck the Use Simple Sharing box and click apply.

Now go back and get properties of the folder you want to change. You can take ownership in the Security tab. If not, try booting in safe mode and try again.

A-Ha! It worked in 'safe' mode. Fantastic.

Thanks, cyrnel. Much appreciated. :thumbsup: