how do i get my pictures back?

I thought my computer had crashed, so i removed the hdd and plugged it into another computer, found out it is ok. I have hundreds of pictures on it. At this point, I was unable to see the pictures, so i tried going thru safe mode, then changed some settings which allow me to see the pictures in read mode only. how do i change the settings back so i dont have to be in safe mode to be able to see them..and can copy them onto a disc? it wont let me right now, says they are locked. I know I should have made notes of the changes I made, but I didnt. hard lesson learned. any help would be greatly appreciated.