I have a hard drive that is not booting, I put it in my other computer and I can access it but cannot open documents and settings. Access is denied. I am running XP Pro, have the security set right. I don't have a security tab in properties for documents and settings, but have it on other folders. I tried to take ownership of the root of the drive but was given "access denied" for that. Get this, the autorun feature of windows can access it, (It scanned all the pictures looking for an autorun.inf file) but I cannot get to it with Microsoft backup, or Acronis backup, but the kisperski antivirus has scanned it and found adware in the temp folder in documents and settings. So it CAN be accessed, just not by ME. Does anyone have any idea how I can get around this problem?

First verify that you're logging into the computer with an account that is part of the Administrators group.

Second, see if Security tab is visible in safe mode.

Third, "Documents and Settings" folder doesn't inherit. Try giving yourself permissions or ownership using the command line XCACLS (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318754) utility.