Owner Folder

Right now I'm running a restored computer. The first version had a bug in it and wouldnt be fixed, eventually dying to the point that it wouldn't start up. After restoring the computer, i went to look for my old files, which hadn't been saved. Now, a friend of mine, who is a bit of a computer guru, tells me those old folders and files are hidden away in my Owner folder, in the d:\documents and settings

However, Winblows, being the bitch it is, won't let me in. My friend tells me that it's because access to that folder is determined by a number key that has changed since I restored the system. Since the new key is different than the old one, the folder won't open.

So, in short (tl;dr), how the fuck do I get in there. And if I can't, what *is* in there?

Right click on folder, properties, security tab, add "All users", check "Full control".