reinstall can't see docs and settings after SP2 crash

[Datasort]

My wife’s Windows XP Pro died on sp2 install. I had to reinstall the OS. It
died on the boot up saying it was missing some file. Before a blue screen.
The next issue is that she could not remember the password when she first go
the machine from Dell.

After reinstalling the OS successfully, I looked for her old documents. The
docs were in a directory called Docs and settings\WifesName\docs (not my
documents).

On the new install there was a new directory called docs and
settings\wifesName.ComputerName. We can see the old wifesname docs directory
but can’t read the directory. The directory gives the following error when
we try to open it in windows explorer:


Drive is not accessible.. Access is denied

I have full control (administrator rights) of the box and still can’t read
the directory. Can anyone help with this matter? All here files are sitting
in the directory. Please not I can see her old My docs directory and view
all files .. just this one directory seems to be locked.

Thanks in advance

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

This article describes how to take ownership of a file or folder
to which you have been denied access:

How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&Product=winxp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Datasort" wrote:

| My wife’s Windows XP Pro died on sp2 install. I had to reinstall the OS. It
| died on the boot up saying it was missing some file. Before a blue screen.
| The next issue is that she could not remember the password when she first go
| the machine from Dell.
|
| After reinstalling the OS successfully, I looked for her old documents. The
| docs were in a directory called Docs and settings\WifesName\docs (not my
| documents).
|
| On the new install there was a new directory called docs and
| settings\wifesName.ComputerName. We can see the old wifesname docs directory
| but can’t read the directory. The directory gives the following error when
| we try to open it in windows explorer:
|
|
| Drive is not accessible.. Access is denied
|
| I have full control (administrator rights) of the box and still can’t read
| the directory. Can anyone help with this matter? All here files are sitting
| in the directory. Please not I can see her old My docs directory and view
| all files .. just this one directory seems to be locked.
|
| Thanks in advance
|

[sigmund]

I agree, try taking ownership like Carey suggested. That should work unless
the files were encrypted using EFS, in which case you will need to restore
the old EFS key. But try taking ownership first.

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

> This article describes how to take ownership of a file or folder
> to which you have been denied access:
>
> How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&Product=winxp
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows XP - Shell/User
>
> Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Datasort" wrote:
>
> | My wife’s Windows XP Pro died on sp2 install. I had to reinstall the OS. It
> | died on the boot up saying it was missing some file. Before a blue screen.
> | The next issue is that she could not remember the password when she first go
> | the machine from Dell.
> |
> | After reinstalling the OS successfully, I looked for her old documents. The
> | docs were in a directory called Docs and settings\WifesName\docs (not my
> | documents).
> |
> | On the new install there was a new directory called docs and
> | settings\wifesName.ComputerName. We can see the old wifesname docs directory
> | but can’t read the directory. The directory gives the following error when
> | we try to open it in windows explorer:
> |
> |
> | Drive is not accessible.. Access is denied
> |
> | I have full control (administrator rights) of the box and still can’t read
> | the directory. Can anyone help with this matter? All here files are sitting
> | in the directory. Please not I can see her old My docs directory and view
> | all files .. just this one directory seems to be locked.
> |
> | Thanks in advance
> |
>
>