XP Reinstall

[David White]

I just did something that messed up my windows config in
the system32 folder, windows wouldnt even boot up. It told
me to use my recover disc, boot with that, and choose the
repair option. I did that, and the problem persisted. So,
I just completely reinstalled windows, not reformat... I
still have all my old "My documents" folders on the hard
drive, but windows will not let me access them, any help
will be greatly appreciated.. THX!

 

[rifleman]

I just did something that messed up my windows config in
the system32 folder, windows wouldnt even boot up. It told
me to use my recover disc, boot with that, and choose the
repair option. I did that, and the problem persisted. So,
I just completely reinstalled windows, not reformat... I
still have all my old "My documents" folders on the hard
drive, but windows will not let me access them, any help
will be greatly appreciated.. THX!

log in as Administrator and take ownership.

 

[rifleman]

I am logged in as an administrator, when i re-installed
windows, it removed all the old profiles...

Did you do a repair install or a new install....

 

[david white]

I did a new install, the repair didnt work...

 

[rifleman]

I did a new install, the repair didnt work...

In that case you've 99.9% certainly wiped out your old data - did you
take a backup first?

 

[David White]

no, i didnt backup... the data is still on the hard drive
tho... the space is still taken up and the folders are
still there.... I just cant access them :-( they are
protected by my pre-reinstall account. When I reinstalled,
it deleted the account, but the folders kept the protection

 

[rifleman]

no, i didnt backup... the data is still on the hard drive
tho... the space is still taken up and the folders are
still there.... I just cant access them :-( they are
protected by my pre-reinstall account. When I reinstalled,
it deleted the account, but the folders kept the protection

log in as administrator and take ownership of the files and folders.
Then copy them to a shared folder/drive, create your new user and then
you should be able to use the data.

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I think im screwed.... i got tomorrow off... ill prolly
just completely reformat and reinstall...

No, as rifleman points out, you can take ownership of the old folders
and you will then have access to the files. Now this statement does
assume you didn't encrypt the folders. If they are encrypted then you
won't be able to access the files.

If on the other hand the permissions are just set so that you don't
have access, that can be fixed. Log on with an account that has admin
privileges. Turn off simple file sharing by opening Explorer and
selecting Tools, Folder Options from the menu and going to the View
tab. Scroll down in the list of advanced settings and remove the check
from "Use simple file sharing (Recommended)". Apply your changes. Now
browse to the folder containing the files that you are unable to
access. Right click on the folder and select Properties. Go to the
Security tab and click the Advanced button at the bottom. Go to the
Owner tab, select your account in the "Change owner to" list, make sure
that "replace owner on subcontainers and objects" is checked and click
Apply. The process will take a while, especially if there are a number
of files in the folder/sub-folders.

Once that is finished you should then be able to access the files in
the folders.

--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows XP & Smart Display
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tp.porterfield/support

Please post all follows to the newsgroup only

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi David,

If the data still exists, this should help unless you encrypted it:

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[David White]

I dont have that "simple sharing" option on my advanced
list

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I dont have that "simple sharing" option on my advanced
list

Then you must be using XP Home. In that case simply reboot the
computer into Safe Mode and log in with an account that has
administrative priviledges. From there you pick up the process at
"browse to the folder containing the files that you are unable to
access. Right click on the folder and select Properties. Go to the
Security tab and click the Advanced button at the bottom. Go to the
Owner tab, select your account in the "Change owner to" list, make sure
that "replace owner on subcontainers and objects" is checked and click
Apply. The process will take a while, especially if there are a number
of files in the folder/sub-folders."

--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows XP & Smart Display
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tp.porterfield/support

Please post all follows to the newsgroup only