can't acces my files after reinstalling XP 1

[josephine198]

after not being able to start up my computer with my C drive as master, I reinstalled windows XP on my D drive today. every important file I have was on the C drive that wasn't working, and that I installed as a slave after reinstalling XP, wanting to get the files off it before reinstalling XP there in turn. Everything is still intact, except the folder with my files that was in the "documents and settings folder", the one with the data belonging to my previous acount which I had pasword protected. I can't access it anymore, and viewing the properties of the folder, it doesn't contain anything anymore.

I can't understand why this would be as all the program files ARE still intact. It might have something to do with the problems I was having before the C drive crashing, thinking they were virusses I deleted several 'hotfix' programs, which turned out to be vital windows adds to the system. This doesn't explain though why my files would be gone.

Is there any way I might be able to get them back? please help me because they are immensely important.

 

[BadBigBen]

Might wanna try a file recovery programm like "Convar PC Inspector File Recovery 3.0" or one of ONTRACKS proggies for recovering lost files of off Drives...

Ben

 

[jrbarnett]

Hello

It is most likely to be differing NTFS access permissions. When you reinstalled XP, even if the user accounts had the same login ID and password, it would have a different SID (Security Identifier) assigned as the owner of the file. It it these SIDs that are used for defining access permissions.

Is there anything that you can do? Well, look at the following Microsoft document and follow its instructions:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

John

 

[josephine198]

jrbarnett, you're my hero! the directions in that link TOTALLY did the trick! :-D