C:/ userdata not accessible how to open this file?

Question

I have files avi files that are unaccessible in userdata after a crash. I can not do system restore. I would like to get the family videos out of that file and put them on dvd. I need step by step details.

Answer 1

What you need to do is to regain ownership of the files.
I don`t know if you have the videos all on one folder or scattered files lying around, so here are the two choices...

Note: You must be logged on to the computer with an account that has administrative credentials.

To take ownership of a file, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the file that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
3. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4. In the Name list, click Administrator, or click the Administrators group, and then click OK.

The administrator or the Administrators group now owns the file. To change the permissions on the files and folders under this folder, go to step 5.
5. Click Add.
6. In the Enter the object names to select (examples) list, type the user or group account that you want to give access to the file. For example, type Administrator.
7. Click OK.
8. In the Group or user names list, click the account that you want, and then select the check boxes of the permissions that you want to assign that user.
9. When you are finished assigning permissions, click OK.
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To take ownership of a folder, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the folder that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
3. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4. In the Name list, click your user name, or click Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or click the Administrators group. If you want to take ownership of the contents of that folder, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
5. Click OK, and then click Yes when you receive the following message:
You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folder name. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?

All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes.
Note folder name is the name of the folder that you want to take ownership of.

6. Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and its contents.

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Hope that takes care of it, Good Luck!

Answer 2

user.dat is not accesible
it's a locked system file that is not editable ( as is system.dat )
however avi files are still on your system
they will be in the my documents folder
typically under documents and settings / adiminstator / my documents / my videos folder