I have a problem, need help desperately

I had a hard drive error, XP went weird and wouldn't let me repair the install so instead to save my data I had to install over my old installation. The problem is, my personal Documents folder is locked now, since the original user account on the computer no longer exists. I'm gonna do a clean format, but I would really like to save that folder if I can. It won't let me access it at all, any ideas?

Use Knoppix to burn the data to an exernal CD burner.

Google this string:
USE KNOPPIX TO RESCUE DATA

You probably don't have permission to access that folder because, although you reinstalled Windows, and even if you chose the same user name, you don't get back the same SID (security identifier - a random number that identifies users, computers, etc). While logged on as a user with administrative priveliges, right-click the folder, choose Properties, select the Security tab, click the Advanced button, select the Owner tab, and check the box that says "Replace owner on subcontainer and objects". Your new user ID will then take ownership of the folder and be able to access it. Also, make sure your current user name is listed with full access in the Security tab. Of course, if any data in that folder was encrypted (NB: encryption is NOT the same as permissions), you're fucked.

I'm on dialup, I can't download a program that big. (Though I'll find a way if I must)

I've brought the properties up, but I see no security tab. Is there something else I need to do first?

Oh yeah - important thing you have to do first before the security tab shows up. In any Explorer window (not Internet Explorer), go to Tools > Folder Options, and select the View tab. Scroll down the list of options, and remove the check mark from the box next to "Use simple file sharing". That should make the Security tab show up in folder property dialogs. Sorry - forgot that critical step as I'm so used to having things in XP set to non-hand-holding mode... :/

swing and a miss on that one too, I don't have that option in my folder options.

Sorry for my noob-ness on all of this, but I've never had any need to use XP's admin features before, and therefore am unfamiliar with them.

Post 5 said "I'm on dialup, I can't download a program that big." If you are talking about downloading Knoppix, you can instead order it on CD for less than ten dollars (including shipping).
Google this string:
BUY KNOPPIX ON CD

Ah, dang - of course. You must be using XP Home edition. You don't get the same level of control over permissions as you do in Professional. Okay, follow the instructions on this page:

http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/xpperm/xpPerm1.htm

Make the folder containing the files you need to access (your old user folder in C:/Documents and Settings/[old user name]) shared, with full access permissions for "Everyone". You should then be able to move out the files that you need. Sorry if this is guiding you incorrectly - I rarely use XP Home, so I sometimes completely forget it exists...

Google this string:
RESET WINDOWS PASSWORD WITH KNOPPIX

thank you very much for your help, I'm gonna try that now

as for everyone else, I get the idea that I can use Knoppix, I would rather not if I don't have to though, thanks now stop spamming :)

>>10
FAIL. Resetting a password is not going to restore access permissions to folders for a user whose SID the computer no longer has any knowledge of. The SID cannot be resolved to an existing user or group name, meaning you see may something like "S-1-5-21-2025483234-1043082209-856693905-1985" listed as someone with permission instead of a proper user or group name. Learn first, then advise.

original poster here

>>9
thanks again, I managed to get the data unlocked

for anyone who needs it, if you run XP Home edition in Safe Mode, you can access the secuity tab in the file properties

to everyone else, see...there was a simple solution, Knoppix wasn't necessary