windows xp user accounts

After Windows XP failing to load, I decided to reinstall it. Now when I boot up and go into explorer, I can see my previous user account, but I cant access it as that user (if you follow). The my docs folder is protected, so I cannot gain access to all my stuff. ANy way that I can a) add the old user account to the current user accounts b) manipulate the files another way?

I have already tried booting into Win 98 on another HD, but I cannot access the HD with XP cos of the filing system.

Thanks

G.

Try using Knoppix to read the files and transfer them to another folder/hard drive.

Last time I checked Knoppix had read only access to NTFS partitions, using it you won't be able to write to the XP hard drive.

If you login as Administrator then you should be able to access all files

Admin still can't read other users' "protected" files, and yes, Knoppix can only read NTFS, but that's better than no access at all. He mentioned h has another hard drive, and he can copy his files onto that using Knoppix, which you can easily allow write access by right clicking on the partition and choose "change read/write mode"

On a standard Windows XP system the administrator user is able to access all files on the machine, even the 'protected' ones. Its like 'root' access on a Linux machine, you can't keep the administrator account from accessing something.

Well, I must be doing something wrong, as even logged on as adminisrator (through safe mode) I cant access these files.

Same here. Obviously a.koepke has never used XP with "protected" directories. To get my files, I used Knoppix and transferred them to an external hard drive, and then I reformatted and installed Linux as single-boot all because of things like your problem described.

Actually if you reinstall windows like he said he did the local admin get's a new SID (Security Identifier) so what he has to do is take ownership of that folder/files, you can do so by right click the folder and selecting properties, then go to security tab, then click advanced then take ownership of it. If you do not see a security tab when you right click the folder then you will need to disable SFS (simple file sharing) , if this is windows XP Pro go to control panel appearance and themes, then click folder options, click the "view tab" the click to clear Simple File Sharing. If this is windows XP Home it'll be located in the networking components.