Reinstall XP Pro and save files?

[Guest]

Booted XP Pro with camcorder attached. Got the BSOD, ctl-alt-del. Copied
ntldr and ntdetect from install CD, pressed R.

Oddly, I can still access Web with DSL, and home networking still works.

Computer still shows me Logged On as usual. I was/am the Admin. But, all
Admin Tools are gone, also gone is Outlook Express, Programs, Documents,
photos, everything except my program for Palm Install on the desktop and my
Word documents. (Very happy about that.)

Unable to use Sys. Restore, no dates available, Volume Info was zero. I
have gone into regedit and I can see all of my programs, I just can't get to
them from My Computer. The settings, in Docs & Settings in regstry. appear
to be correct, although I am not sure where all to look. I have tried Taking
Ownership, that doesn't work. I wonder if I should Create another Admin.
Account. Would I then be able to copy over the programs from the other acct?

Since I have been researching for a week, I see that there are about 3 more
accts. that are showing in that Take Ownership area, they weren't previously
there.

I want to save reinstalling XP Pro as a last resort, just in case it removes
all of my old files or overwrites some things. But, since you are the
experts, what would you recommend? I would GREATLY appreciate any help or
suggestions you can offer.

Many thanks,
Karen

 

[Maincat]

Booted XP Pro with camcorder attached. Got the BSOD, ctl-alt-del. Copied
ntldr and ntdetect from install CD, pressed R.

Did it work OK without the camcorder attached?

 

[Guest]

Yes, my computer worked beautifully. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Guest]

BTW, just now when I went to try and open one of the Word docs, my computer
said that the Office program had not been installed for this user.

I have already tried to use the HD as a slave for viewing files. I cannot
see anything more than what I can see when it is the main HD in my desktop.

If I just knew how to point my sign on as Admin. to my user profile. Maybe
I need to edit or delete some of the ntuser.dat files? There are several of
those.
I have 2 at each location, one txt and one dat. The newly created ones are
located in the Doc & Settings for my name, Local Service, and Network
Service. I also have some OLD ones located in the
Windows/sys32/config/systemprofile folder. Maybe if I could copy the old
info to the newly created files, that would work...?

Sorry to be so wordy, I am so anxious about this. You don't have to tell me
how stupid it was to try and boot with a camcorder attached... my computer
wasn't able to see my camcorder, so a help file suggested booting with it
attached. That was not the right thing to do!!!