Help!!! I'm locked out of my local disk - Windows 8

[KMDK]

Okay at first, I was able to access it. But then, since I wasn't able to use it as a full administrator (unable to save downloaded files to hard drive), I tried tweaking the security tab of its properties. I checked and unchecked some of the boxes for what the user can control, but since nothing worked, I accidentally unchecked all of the options for each group (since i thought that was the default setting), then I pressed OK. Now I can't change any of those settings and I can't even access my hard drive... I just bought this laptop and I don't wanna wreck it so early. Any help please? Thanks!

 

[Ghan]

So you have revoked read/write permissions for the administrator on files and folders in the drive?

 

[KMDK]

Yeah basically... All the boxes are unchecked.

 

[Ghan]

Who is the owner of the object?

Properties -> Security -> Advanced -> Owner tab -> Current owner

 

[KMDK]

It just says Access is Denied. I can't edit anything in in the hard drive

 

[KMDK]

I'm the owner btw. I'm the only account in the laptop

 

[Ghan]

I would attach the disk to another computer and/or boot to another drive with that one added to see if you can edit the permissions then. No guarantees here. At least you could maybe save documents and similar before wiping the drive and reloading the machine.

 

[KMDK]

how do i attach the disk to another computer if the hard drive is built in? And will it void the warranty? I'm using a lenovo thinkpad twist btw. Also how do I boot to another drive?

 

[Accname]

Cant you just recover the os? You said you just bought it so there shouldnt be something important on it.

 

[Ghan]

You need to take the back off of the laptop and pull out the hard drive. Generally a pretty painless operation provided you have a suitably sized screwdriver.

At that point you need standard SATA power and data cables in order to connect it to another computer.
Recovering the OS is certainly a valid option. Try Lenovo's support on their website - they might have a walkthrough or similar on how to do that.

 

[KMDK]

Hmm okay, I'll research into connecting the hard drive then.

Although about recovering the OS, I tried reformatting my whole hard drive but my access is also denied there so I can't reformat. I'm still searching for a walkthrough in the Lenovo website. So far haven't found one for my condition

 

[Accname]

There should be a DVD or something. If you boot through that you can format your drive without even starting your OS.

 

[KMDK]

What do you mean by a DVD? Because if you mean a windows 8 cd, I don't think it came with one

 

[Accname]

Then start the bios and see if there is a recovery option build in.

 

[ertaboy356b]

Can you access the Safe Mode?? You can access the computer's default admin from there... Try making a system restore if possible..

 

[KMDK]

sorry for the late reply. I just came back from a long vacation. Anyway I checked the bios and tutorials about the bios and there is no reformat or recovery option.

Okay I was able to access safe mode and enable the administrator account but access to stuff is still denied

 

[tom_mai78101]

Can you see if you can still run programs? If yes, here's a workaround.

Since you're able to access safe mode and have enabled the admin account, you can try this.

This is sort of relevant to your case, maybe have it a go?