can't access 'my documents' from new XP installation

[Guest]

Help! I'm desperately trying to recover my files from a damaged version of
Windows XP home edition. The original install had a virus that Windows
Defender tried to uninstall, but ended up somehow destroying the ability of
that install to boot.

I installed another copy of Windows XP Home into a different directory on my
C drive, and I'm now I'm trying to recover my files -- so that I can reformat
my hard disk and start over from scratch.

From the My Computer function, I can see my "old" My Documents folder,
within the "Documents and Settings" folder. But I can't access that old My
Documents folder. I think it's because my user account on the old install was
password protected. I'm getting a message that "Access is Denied" when I try
to open it.

The original install of XP will not boot, so I can't enter my password and
recover the files that way.

Is there any way, from this new installation of Windows XP, for me to gain
access to this Documents folder that I created under my old
password-protected User Profile?

I did a Windows support search and there is a suggested procedure to use
with Windows XP Professional, but this doesn't seem to work for the XP Home
version (the common folder sharing option does not appear to be available
with XP home)

thanks a million for any help. i'm very afraid that i've lost all my files!

 

[Malke]

Help! I'm desperately trying to recover my files from a damaged
version of Windows XP home edition. The original install had a virus
that Windows Defender tried to uninstall, but ended up somehow
destroying the ability of that install to boot.

I installed another copy of Windows XP Home into a different directory
on my C drive, and I'm now I'm trying to recover my files -- so that I
can reformat my hard disk and start over from scratch.

From the My Computer function, I can see my "old" My Documents folder,
within the "Documents and Settings" folder. But I can't access that
old My Documents folder. I think it's because my user account on the
old install was password protected. I'm getting a message that "Access
is Denied" when I try to open it.

The original install of XP will not boot, so I can't enter my password
and recover the files that way.

Is there any way, from this new installation of Windows XP, for me to
gain access to this Documents folder that I created under my old
password-protected User Profile?

I did a Windows support search and there is a suggested procedure to
use
with Windows XP Professional, but this doesn't seem to work for the XP
Home version (the common folder sharing option does not appear to be
available with XP home)

You do need to take ownership. The KB article you read was probably this
one: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

You can use the same process for XP Home; you just have to go into Safe
Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is
starting up. This will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your
Up arrow key; the mouse will not work here.

How Do I Get the Security tab in Folder Properties? -
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_security_tab.htm

Malke