Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file.
Thanks to anyone that reads this and tries to help. Even to those who are just reading and wishing us who are having issues good luck. When ever I try to access this external HDD after copying files to it I receive the error message listed below. The funny thing is it works when I initially copy files over after a formatt. It also works on XP with no issues, even when Vista is having the errors. I have reproduced this on 4 systems. All running Vista. OS: Vista 64, Vista business and Vista home. 2 Laptops and2 Desktops. Issue: Trying to access files on a Maxtor Mini Drive while connected to a Vista Operating System. Error Message: X Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item. I have in installed the device successfully. Drivers and software. After initial installation I can access the hard drive successfully on all systems. Copy files from any system to the External HDD successfully. I can view the files until I remove the drive or restart the computer. Once removed I get the error message listed above. The only system I can view the files on when I get that error is an XP OS. Some Steps taking to resolve this: Reformat HDD and start over thinking it was actuall permissions or pwd protecdted some how. Reformatted HDD and removed Maxtor Software and copied files using Vista instead of Maxtor App. Repeated Step 2 with the addtion of removing and reinstalling the HDD Driver. Any thought or questions would be appreciated.
June 26th, 2008 12:34am

Hi Is the HDD Vista compatible? (check the box or the drivers CD)You say you can view the files immediately after they are copied - check the permissions that they get assigned. Try creating a single folder on the HDD and copy all the files in that folder.I have worked with Western Digital Passport external HDD on Vista and it worked fine.
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June 26th, 2008 2:52pm

You need to take ownership of the drive. You can do this by right clicking the drive in Windows Explorer, going to properties, click the security tab, then click the advanced button, go to owner tab, click edit, click other users or groups and added the current user. Make sure to check the box "replace owner on subcontainers and objects" before applying.
June 26th, 2008 7:18pm

YounGun wrote: Hi Is the HDD Vista compatible? (check the box or the drivers CD)You say you can view the files immediately after they are copied - check the permissions that they get assigned. Try creating a single folder on the HDD and copy all the files in that folder.I have worked with Western Digital Passport external HDD on Vista and it worked fine. Yes this drive is Vista Compatible. Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini
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June 26th, 2008 7:51pm

Kernel32 wrote: You need to take ownership of the drive. You can do this by right clicking the drive in Windows Explorer, going to properties, click the security tab, then click the advanced button, go to owner tab, click edit, click other users or groups and added the current user. Make sure to check the box "replace owner on subcontainers and objects" before applying. This has been done before this post. Just to make sure I did it correctly I did it again at your suggestion. This has not resolved the issue. Thanks for the suggestion though.
June 26th, 2008 7:58pm

Hello, I have the same issue with a SimpleTech 500 GBhard drive. (Device manager description - "STECH Simple Drive USB Device"). The sytem it is connected to Has Vitsa 64 Ultimate installed. When the system was originally built it was attached to a system with Windows XP Professional (still in operation). The files where copied onto the system prior to connecting it to the Vista 64 machine with the same User Name and password setup as Administrator. When trying to copy a file or folder from the system C; Drive it give the error: "The disk is write-protected. Remove the write-protection or use another disk. I tried the method above to change ownership of the drive. I get the error: Error Apply Security An error occured while applying security information to: E:\xyzpath\123filename (each individual file in the disk brings up an error as it trys to apply it) The media is write protected. Well..as I write this I realized that when the drive was connected to the XP system it had the permissions changed (maybe write protected?) I re-connected it to the XP system and applied it as a shared drive and then applied the "Allow other users to change the files" I then returned the drive back to the Vista system and got the same messages. Thanks in advance for you assistance, Lynn
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July 31st, 2008 9:50pm

Thanks, this worked well in my case.Regards,sammyg73
January 10th, 2010 9:12pm

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