How to copy DirecTV DVR files from HD?

My DirecTV DVR crashed as it was trying to retrieve the new software they were pushing, and all I have left is to format the drive acording to their Tech Support. I need to backup the files that it has on the drive, but since it doesn't boot up, I cant play it and record it. I was hoping to backup the files directly from the HD but it keeps giving me access denied. I was able to plug the HD in with an external USB drive, I can see the files in folders but I cannot get the file STREAM.STR to copy since Access denied keeps coming up. Is there a way to disable the security on Windows? The permitions tab is not there. Any help would be apreciated. I have some games that I do not want to loose.
Answer: First off what kind of DirecTV DVR is it? Is it a DirecTV Tivo? and if so what model. Or is it a DirecTV DVR R15 or ?

If it is an older DVR like the DirecTV Tivo (not the R15 DirecTV Tivo though) you can upgrade to a larger hard drive and make it so that the DirecTV Tivo can be networked to your home network which has alot of advantages. Like downloading the movies/shows to a networked PC. If you install DirecTVs update to one of the DirecTV Tivos then you will never be able to do this and everything I have read about DirecTVs new DVRs is not good.
If it is a DirecTV Tivo then first check out these two site to see if this is what you would like to do with it or not.

www.dvrupgrade.com (which sells DirecTV Tivo upgraded software)

www.drvrplayground.com (which has articles to show how and what needs to be done to the DirecTV Tivo to make it upgradable and networked on your home network. )

I have 5 DirecTV Tivo that are networked, have MRV (multiroom viewing), and HMO (Home media Option which allows me to stream music and pictures from my PC onto the DirecTV Tivo to watch on teh TV.) Hope this helps and have fun.
Why can't I draw from video from..
Depending on the age of the DVR will depend on if you can do it or not. If you have one of the first directv dvr's you can google it and theres a website that tells you step by step how to create a dvr PC. Its basically a windows 95 pc that boots from a Linux disk. My coworker created a backup box for when he upgraded his hard drive to a larger one. If you have a newer model DVR, I dont know if there is a way, but google is definately your source to find the answer. My coworker found it pretty easy with a simple search.