need help bad!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter mickeddie
  • Start date Start date
M

mickeddie

My computer was acting goofey so I re-installed Windows XP home with
out reformatting my hard drive. Now when I started my computer I seem
to have lost all of my settings, programs, email mesages, multimedia,
etc. Since I did NOT reformat the hard drive everything should be on
my computer, but I cannot find it!

Please help!!!

Thanks!

Eddie G
 
My computer was acting goofey so I re-installed Windows XP home with
out reformatting my hard drive. Now when I started my computer I seem
to have lost all of my settings, programs, email mesages, multimedia,
etc. Since I did NOT reformat the hard drive everything should be on
my computer, but I cannot find it!

Please help!!!

Thanks!

Eddie G
Click to expand...


Sounds like you did not use the repair install method, so your Files in your
Documents may be your old User Folder in Documents and Settings. You will
have to install all your programs.
 
In
My computer was acting goofey so I re-installed Windows XP home
with
out reformatting my hard drive.
Click to expand...


Probably not, based on what you say below. Please explain exactly
what you did, and what exactly what steps you took to accomplish
it.
 
If you are dumb enough to have to post this then you are dumb enough to have
reformatted the HDD and still claim you didn't.

Given you didn't format the drive you don't have a problem then do you.
 
In
Sleepless in Seattle said:
If you are dumb enough to have to post this then you are dumb enough
to have reformatted the HDD and still claim you didn't.

Given you didn't format the drive you don't have a problem then do
you.
Click to expand...

Well, if the OP chose to reinstall rather than repair, they would have
exactly what they say they have and would not have formatted the hard drive.
So who is the one dumb enough to reply with a dumb answer? LOL
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm


 
If he Re-Installed then he either formated the disk or he has 2 XP's
installed where he would have had the bootmenu showup during boot. Since He
did not post that he had an option of which XP to choose from - Looks like
he must have formated.
During a re-install you are warned that all data and programs will be lost.
 
Meant to say - During an XP installation on an existing partition - you are
warned that data and programs may be lost.
 
In
RonK said:
If he Re-Installed then he either formated the disk or he has 2 XP's
installed where he would have had the bootmenu showup during boot.
Since He did not post that he had an option of which XP to choose
from - Looks like he must have formated.
During a re-install you are warned that all data and programs will be
lost.
Click to expand...

No, you get the option to REinstall or Repair. If you choose reinstall and
do not choose a new location, you will reinstall over the current install
and the Windows and Files and Settings folders will be removed and created
anew. All other folders [Program Files, etc.] and data will remain. The My
Documents, Mail, etc. will be lost and you will not have a multiple choice
on boot up.
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
In
Michael Stevens said:
In
RonK said:
If he Re-Installed then he either formated the disk or he has 2 XP's
installed where he would have had the bootmenu showup during boot.
Since He did not post that he had an option of which XP to choose
from - Looks like he must have formated.
During a re-install you are warned that all data and programs will be
lost.
Click to expand...

No, you get the option to REinstall or Repair. If you choose
reinstall and do not choose a new location, you will reinstall over
the current install and the Windows and Files and Settings folders
will be removed and created anew. All other folders [Program Files,
etc.] and data will remain. The My Documents, Mail, etc. will be lost
and you will not have a multiple choice on boot up.
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address
box if using the web based newsgroup.
Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
Click to expand...

Sorry, that should have been "Documents and Settings" folder not "files and
settings".

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
 
I did a repair install FIRST, but my computer was still acting funny so
I re-installed over the current files. I did NOT choose the option to
re-format the hard drive...I am sure of this. But I lost all of My
Documents. Fortunatly I have a back up of my precious photos and
videos, but all of my mail settings are lost. I do have a backup of my
mail settings from 12-2003. I just need to know where to put the files
if all my recent stuff is totally lost. I thought a reintall would
ONLY change what is in the Windows directory.

Eddie G
 
I did a repair install FIRST, but my computer was still acting funny so
I re-installed over the current files. I did NOT choose the option to
re-format the hard drive...I am sure of this. But I lost all of My
Documents. Fortunatly I have a back up of my precious photos and
videos, but all of my mail settings are lost. I do have a backup of my
mail settings from 12-2003. I just need to know where to put the files
if all my recent stuff is totally lost. I thought a reintall would
ONLY change what is in the Windows directory.

Eddie G
Click to expand...

That's what you get for thinking. Now, hopefully, you have learned that back
up is a computer user's best friend.

Alias
 
You probably haven't lost anything.

Look in C:\documents and Settings. Is there a folder with you last user name?

In OE go Tools - Options - Maintenance - Store Folder and this will tell you the folder OE is using.
 
Alias said:
That's what you get for thinking. Now, hopefully, you have learned that back
up is a computer user's best friend.

Alias
Click to expand...

I came here seeking assistance and don't need your sarcasm.
 
Alias said:
That's what you get for thinking. Now, hopefully, you have learned that back
up is a computer user's best friend.

Alias
Click to expand...

I came here seeking assistance and don't need your sarcasm.
 
I looked in c:\docs and settings. There is no info under my last user
name that I can see, but iirc I need to change the properties to view
hidden folders and files.

Does a full install delete docs and settings, my pictures, my
documents, etc?

Thank you (and eveyrone) for your assistance so far, especially about
OE.

Eddie
 
Not with an MS XP CD but who knows with an OEM XP CD. Some the answer is yes.

Type in Start Run
cmd

Type in cmd
cd c:\documents and settings

Then type

dir *.* /ad /s /p

This will show all folders.
 
I came here seeking assistance and don't need your sarcasm.
Click to expand...

Suggesting that you back up your data before doing a major operation isn't
"assistance"? Maybe next time -- if you're smart -- you'll heed my advice,
maybe not.

Alias
 
David said:
Not with an MS XP CD but who knows with an OEM XP CD. Some the answer is yes.

Type in Start Run
cmd

Type in cmd
cd c:\documents and settings

Then type

dir *.* /ad /s /p

This will show all folders.
Click to expand...

OK...I found the folder with all of my information. Now how do I get
the computer to look in that folder (under Documents and Settings)
instead of the one it is looking at.

Thanks!!

Eddie G
 
Type
Copy User Profile
in help.

This will move the old profile to the new one. If you can't access the old folder type
taking ownership
in Help.
 
Back
Top