Reinstalled XP, can't use old profile HELP HELP HELP

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Guest

I had to reinstall XP because it kept restarting and I had other problems. I reinstalled, but now I don't have access to my old profile, programs, etc. How can I get that back. If it requires changing the name for the computer, I don't remember what it was before this. It was an unusual name..

Thank you.
 
Lillian said:
I had to reinstall XP because it kept restarting and I had other
problems. I reinstalled, but now I don't have access to my old
profile, programs, etc. How can I get that back. If it requires
changing the name for the computer, I don't remember what it was
before this. It was an unusual name...
Click to expand...

Look in C:\Documents and Settings for your old username...
If it is there and you cannot get into the folder, take ownership of the
folder:

1.. Open Windows Explorer, and then locate the file or folder you want to
take ownership of.
2.. Right-click the file or folder, click Properties, and then click the
Security tab.
3.. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4.. In the Change owner to box, click the new owner.
5.. (Optional) To change the owner of all subcontainers and objects within
the tree, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421

If you cannot see the tab I am speaking of:

Option 1 (XP Professional):
1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
3. In the Advanced Settings section, clear the Use simple file sharing
(Recommended) check box.
4. Click OK.
5. Check for the security tab again...

Option 2 (XP Home):
You may have to boot into Safe Mode (I think) and log on as administrator
to get the tab in XP Home.

Copy the files you want from the old profile.. Let it go and configure your
new one. =)
 
Lillian said:
Shenan:

Thank you. will I have access to my programs in the old profile?
Click to expand...


Your Programs are not stored (well, 95% of them) in the profile, but
installed on your computer in the C:\Program Files\ directory (usually).

Look in the Control Panel, under Add/Remove programs. If the programs are
listed as installed there, then you are missing your shortcuts most likely.
Look in your old profile under the Desktop and Start Menu folders for the
shortcuts that point to the applications. If you copy those to the same
location in your current profile, then you should be okay - *if* the
applications do not need to be reinstalled, which does happen.
 
Shenan

It did not bring things back to the way I had them prior to doing a reinstall of XP Pro. I tried to repair, but that did not work. There is however a user that is unknown, I believe that is my old one, but when I go into making it the owner, it is not an option. Talk about a mess. They should have when you do a reinstall, the option to retain your original settings. Because repair never works.
 
Lillian said:
Shenan:

It did not bring things back to the way I had them prior to doing a
reinstall of XP Pro. I tried to repair, but that did not work.
There is however a user that is unknown, I believe that is my old
one, but when I go into making it the owner, it is not an option.
Talk about a mess. They should have when you do a reinstall, the
option to retain your original settings. Because repair never works.
Click to expand...

Oh, you are almost guaranteed to lose the look of your user, but the stuff
in My Documents and on your desktop can be copied from the old user to your
current user profile/directory.

Are you going into C:\Documents and Settings and looking around at the
users? Trying to go into each user's directory and copy things from your
old to your new user directory?

The look/feel you *will* have to redo at this point, I am assuming. =(
 
I am more concerned about all my programs. They are not in Add/Remove of system, They are in Program Files folder, but not on Start Programs. I have way way too many to do a reinstall. Plus my outlook, adaware, Oh god, way too many. I also had my quick launch with applications shortcuts set up. Did the reinstall remove my quick laundc? How do I get my programs back. As for the way things looked, I can manage that, I didn't change much in that arena, but I really don't have the time or energy to reinstall all my stuff. PS> what about the unknown user, can I get that to become the owner? It appears that, that user came about after my reinstall, which leads me to believe that, that is my old stuff

What a mess. I work from home and I have to get this going. I do appreciate your help. Yikes!!!
 
You basically have two options:
Reinstall the programs (it won't take any more disk space
than you're already using, because the programs are there
anyway.)
or you can try just locating the main link of every
program and attempt to shortcut them to you start menu and
quicklaunch bar, but this would actually be more
complicated and you would have problems if the programs
had registry entries...
A re-install will remove any personalized settings you
had... My suggestion for the future would be to use
the "File & Settings Transfer Wizard"... You will have the
option to save settings and files elsewhere... If you have
a big enough hard drive and are not reformatting
completely, "save" them to a random folder (c:\oldstuff or
something like that) and then after reinstalling, run the
wizard again but this time restore the settings from that
folder.. (It's too late to do now though)
Good Luck
Chris
-----Original Message-----
I am more concerned about all my programs. They are not
Click to expand...
in Add/Remove of system, They are in Program Files folder,
but not on Start Programs. I have way way too many to do
a reinstall. Plus my outlook, adaware, Oh god, way too
many. I also had my quick launch with applications
shortcuts set up. Did the reinstall remove my quick
laundc? How do I get my programs back. As for the way
things looked, I can manage that, I didn't change much in
that arena, but I really don't have the time or energy to
reinstall all my stuff. PS> what about the unknown user,
can I get that to become the owner? It appears that, that
user came about after my reinstall, which leads me to
believe that, that is my old stuff.
What a mess. I work from home and I have to get this
Click to expand...
going. I do appreciate your help. Yikes!!!
 
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