Problem--how do I restore what I lost?

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Guest

OK, so here's what I did: Our new computer has been in use for a couple of
months now, with many documents, pictures etc added on since then. I thought
it would be a good idea to add users to the system, so that we each could
have our own settings, so I added a new account, and wham, everything had
disappeared, all documents, everything, even Limewire, and some other
programs that were downloaded. I never saw any sort of warning message. Is
there anything I can do to get those things back?
 
OK, so here's what I did: Our new computer has been in use for a
couple of months now, with many documents, pictures etc added on since
then. I thought it would be a good idea to add users to the system,
so that we each could have our own settings, so I added a new account,
and wham, everything had disappeared, all documents, everything, even
Limewire, and some other programs that were downloaded. I never saw
any sort of warning message. Is there anything I can do to get those
things back?
Click to expand...

So you have found out one of the pitfalls of multi-users.

All of the stuff that you think is gone, is not. Unless you deleted the
profiles that the stuff was in.

Log on using the username/password you used before adding new users and all
the stuff will be there again.

Each username has a corresponding folder under c:\Documents & Settings. It
is that user's folder where all of the 'My' folders reside. Simply move the
files out of the Docs&Settings\Username folder and place them on the hard
drive somewhere that's accessible to all users....like c:\Music.
 
A newly created user has their own folders and program lists. log on as
administrator or the previous user ou will see and you'll be able to view
everything
 
Phoenix6462 said:
OK, so here's what I did: Our new computer has been in use for a couple of
months now, with many documents, pictures etc added on since then. I thought
it would be a good idea to add users to the system, so that we each could
have our own settings, so I added a new account, and wham, everything had
disappeared, all documents, everything, even Limewire, and some other
programs that were downloaded. I never saw any sort of warning message. Is
there anything I can do to get those things back?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you originally were running with the built in Administrator
account. And as you discovered when a second account is added the built
in Administrator account is hidden from the welcome screen. It's still
there though.

It is not a good idea to operate on a day to day basis with this built
in account. It should be left as a fall back in case something corrupts
the everyday account. You're making other accounts to use for normal
operations is the right thing. All you need to do is copy the info from
the built in account to one or more of the others.

To login to the built in Administrator account for XP Pro at the welcome
screen do ctrl-al-del twice to bring up the login box, type in
Administrator in the account name and the password. For Home you'll
have to boot into safe mode and the Administrator account will appear on
the welcome screen.

To get into safe mode restart, then as the BIOS screen goes away
repeatedly tap the F8 key to bring up the Advanced Options menu then
choose safe mode.

How to Copy a User Profile
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_logon.htm

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com
 
Original Administrator Account Does Not Appear During Friendly Logon Method
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;281992&Product=winxp

Enable Administrator account on Welcome Screen
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_admin_ok.htm


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

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:

| OK, so here's what I did: Our new computer has been in use for a couple of
| months now, with many documents, pictures etc added on since then. I thought
| it would be a good idea to add users to the system, so that we each could
| have our own settings, so I added a new account, and wham, everything had
| disappeared, all documents, everything, even Limewire, and some other
| programs that were downloaded. I never saw any sort of warning message. Is
| there anything I can do to get those things back?
 
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