Reinstalled Windows XP, Now have User duplicate Folders??

[Guest]

I had to reintall WinXP SP2 on my laptop over my existing WinXP due to a
conflict with Adaware and MaAfee Virus Plus. And no, I didn't have a back up!

After the installation, I had to reinstall the programs and drivers that
were previously installed.

When I first opened the My Documents folder, it was empty so I thought I had
lost all my previous document files. However, when I used Win explorer to
look at my C drive, I found that all my previous documents were in the folder
under my name. There is another folder under my name.lighthouse which is the
name I gave the computer when I reinstalled. There are no files in the
name.lighthouse folder.

So now I have Administrator and Administrator.lighthouse, All Users and All
Users.Windows folders, etc. Get the picture.

What should I do to have only the folders that were previously installed
only available and the appropriate association when I open My Documents

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I had to reintall WinXP SP2 on my laptop over my existing WinXP due
to a conflict with Adaware and MaAfee Virus Plus. And no, I didn't
have a back up!

After the installation, I had to reinstall the programs and drivers
that
were previously installed.

When I first opened the My Documents folder, it was empty so I
thought I had lost all my previous document files. However, when I
used Win explorer to look at my C drive, I found that all my
previous documents were in the folder under my name. There is
another folder under my name.lighthouse which is the name I gave
the computer when I reinstalled. There are no files in the
name.lighthouse folder.

So now I have Administrator and Administrator.lighthouse, All Users
and All Users.Windows folders, etc. Get the picture.

What should I do to have only the folders that were previously
installed
only available and the appropriate association when I open My
Documents

That's unlikely to happen given how you performed a repair install without
someone else getting involved.

Your best bet at this point is to use your new user to 'take ownership' of
the old files and MOVE those old "My Documents", maybe some "Desktop" items
and possibly some 'Favorites" to your new profile and then - when you have
moved those things (do NOT move everything) - delete the defunct
directories.

How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Read *carefully* - do not just skim the page and start following steps.
There is important information there dependent on the version of Windows XP
you have.