Old password protected XP hard drive connected to vista system by

I was using Windows Xp on a old desktop computer that dies two days ago. I removed its HDD, bought an encloser , fitted the drive in the same and connected with my new laptop running with Windows Vista. Now the problem am facing is that old hard drive was password protected on windows XP and it is not allowing me access documents after connecting it on Vista.

Whenever I try accessing any folder or file, I get an error message saying I don’t have enough permission. After searching on internet found that I need to take owner ship of these files /folders. Well I did the same but yet the same problem. I don’t know what else I can do to get my files.

Somebody please help.

I don’t know how you took the ownership because this problem should be fixed if you become the owner. Anyways, just follow the below steps for doing the same again:

• Open My Computer, right click your Old HDD and select Properties.
• On the Security tab click Advanced
• On the Owner tab
• Select you account if it isn't already and
• Check "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects"
• Click OK twice (close all dialogs)
• On the Security tab add your account if it is not already there and set Full Access
• Click Apply, Click Advanced
• Check "Replace permission on all child objects with......"
• Click Apply

That’s it. Now see if you are facing the problem anymore.

Thanks a lot Gregoryl, that really worked. I guess i was making mistake in taking the ownership.

I figured it out. I had to first turn off Simple File Sharing as instructed here and then the Security tab was there and I was able to take ownership of the password protected files and have all my stuff again. Yay.

My computer does not have "Use simple file sharing" on the list. Is there another way of turning simply file sharing off?