lost files

[Guest]

I installed a copy of Windows XP professional on top of an older version of
same OS. All my documents, programs, etc. disappeared. How can I retreive?

 

[Dave Bolt]

I think you will find that if you use Windows Explorer to browse the
Documents and Settings folder you will find all the old user profiles
intact, along with their documents etc. You can then copy them across to the
new users.
Say your computer name is Computername and your user name is Fred, you will
probably find an entry in Documents and Settings for Fred, and a second one
for Fred.Computername. The second one is the new profile.
HTH
Dave

 

[Nepatsfan]

(e-mail address removed),

I installed a copy of Windows XP professional on top of an
older version of same OS. All my documents, programs, etc.
disappeared. How can I retreive? --
John O''Hara

First off, you're going to have to reinstall all your old
programs so they will work in the new installation.

To retrieve your old documents you need to disable Simple File
Sharing and take ownership of the files. Take a look at these
articles for more info:

How to disable simplified sharing and set permissions on a
shared folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874/

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

"Access is Denied" Error Message When You Try to Open a Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[AJR]

John - The only difference of significance between the "old" XP installation
and the "New" would be that new XP has SP2 old did not. If you "upgraded"
the old installation you should have not lost "stuff".
Explain "...on top of an older version ...." Your installation may have
resulted in two installations of XP.
If so - Nepatsfan's advice applies.