Limited file access after migration assistant

After migrating files from a TM to a new HD for my MBP, I needed help from the Apple Community just the find the things tucked away in a new user folder. Now I need help getting them to open.  Many folders have this little minus sign on them and say "You have no access" when I see their info. These are the most significant items and what I thought was the purpose of a backup. (Music, Pictures, Movies, Downloads, Deskstop, and my fav. "Silver Briefcase"), I have found the files on TM, so they do exist, but I am hesitant to click "Restore", as the files may already be on here somewhere. Please help make this "just work".

geologyjoel wrote:
Before getting this, I took it to a Mac-helper store. They had me make a new account and delete the two incomplete accounts so I could do a full restore and have only one account. They recommended restoring while in TM from that one account, shut down the computer, restart, open the restored account, and deleting this dumby-starter account. That didn't work: I got a "cannot complete this process. Error -8003".
That should work if, instead of using Time Machine to restore the account in question, you use Migration Assistant to transfer it instead.  Restoring or copying the home folder from your backups won't work.
Trying your method: Pressing Command (the apple) - R resutls in a "No" sign as in "No smoking", and then my computer shuts off.
Do that after powering down. 
Your profile says you're running Tiger (10.4.11).  We know that's outdated, since Time Machine doesn't work on Tiger, but we don't know what you are running:
•  If you're running Leopard (10.5.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x), you need to insert the the OSX Install disc (per section (b) of #14 and hold the "C" key while starting up.
•  If you're running Lion (10.7.x) or Mountain Lion (10.8.x), you need to start from your Recovery HD, per section (a) of #14.  Hold Cmd and the "R" keys while starting up (the Cmd keys are next to the spacebar on most keyboards).
If that doesn't work, hold the Alt/Option key while starting up.  That will show all possible startup sources, something like this:
If you're on Lion or Mountain Lion, you should see either "Recovery HD" or "Recovery 10-8" (the red arrow).
If you're on 10.7.2 or later, your Time Machine drive may have a copy of the Recovery HD (the green arrow). 
If there's an Install disc in your SuperDrive, it will be shown.
Select the one you want (the gray arrow should move), then click the drive icon to start from it.
EDIT:  please tell us what version of OSX your Mac is running. 
It would also be a good idea to update your profile, by clicking "Your Stuff" at the top of this page, selecting "Profile," and editing the "My Products" section.
Message was edited by: Pondini

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