Windows 7 Cannot Access C: Drive with XP On it

[SciBob]

Ok, i've been reading A LOT of forums and calling a lot of people, and asking the Geek Squad guys at my job (I work at BestBuy), and so far I have NOT been able to fix this problem..

Computer:
Mobo: Asus M2N32-SLI DELUXE
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 FX-62
RAM: 4Gig
HD: 320 Gig Partitioned (C: Windows XP) (J: Windows 7)
GPU: NVidia 9800 GTX+

Problem:
About 3 months ago I was running into some security issues with 7. I was unable to transfer some files between my C: drive with XP on it. I was able to resolve this issue by going under the properties of the drive, security tab, then add permission.
No other issues came up untill about a month ago. It completely denied me access to my C drive. Not only in Vista, but also when i reboot in XP I cannot access it.

Some fixes:
Used CMD prompt Net User Administrator /active:yes
Gave complete permissions to Administrator and my other user (Scott)
Gave complete permissions to Guest
Have turned on ALL file sharing options

Nothing is working.

I can completely modify, access, adjust and delete anything from Vista to the C: drive.
Once I reboot in XP i cannot do anything. I can only run programs. Every time i try to access the C drive i get the "Access Denied" error.

I want to continue to use 7 But im getting VERY frustrated with it locking me out of everything. Can someone please help me?

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are facing a complex issue with accessing the C: drive on your computer, particularly when switching between Windows XP and Windows 7. The permissions and security settings might be causing these access problems. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Check Security Settings:
   • Verify the security settings on the C: drive in both Windows XP and Windows 7 to ensure they are correctly configured.
   []Check User Permissions:
   • Confirm that your user account has the necessary permissions to access the C: drive in both operating systems.
   []Boot into Safe Mode:
   • Try accessing the C: drive in Windows XP in Safe Mode. Safe Mode can sometimes bypass certain restrictions.
   []Reset Permissions:
   • You can reset the permissions on the C: drive to default settings. This action might help resolve any misconfigurations.
   []Run CHKDSK:
   • Run a disk check using the CHKDSK command in Windows XP to ensure there are no underlying disk errors causing the access issue.
   []Check for Malware:
   • Perform a thorough scan for malware and viruses that might be affecting the drive access.
   []Windows XP Compatibility:
   • Due to the age of Windows XP, there might be compatibility issues with newer security settings from Windows 7.
2. Data Backup:
   • Before making significant changes, ensure you have backups of important data on the affected drive.

     Additional Considerations:​

   • Group Policy Settings: Check if there are any restrictive group policy settings affecting the drive access.

• Third-Party Security Software: Sometimes, third-party security software can cause access issues. Temporarily disable such software to test.
• Update Drivers: Ensure all drivers, especially those related to the storage controllers, are up to date.
• Windows Updates: Make sure both Windows XP and Windows 7 have the latest updates installed.

  Expert Assistance:​

  If the issue persists after trying these steps, you may also consider reaching out to a professional IT technician or Microsoft support for further assistance. They can provide more advanced diagnostics and solutions tailored to your specific setup. Hopefully, these steps can help you regain access to your C: drive and resolve the frustrating access denial problems you're experiencing. Let me know if you need further assistance or information!