ok this is what happened. i was running xp rc1 no probs. i get rc2 so i upgrade. no probs in installion. then soon after its installed i get probs so i revert back to rc1. but i cant just downgrade, i had to overwrite the windows folder.anyways it installs ok. heres the problem. i had a password for my user when i ran rc2 and now when i try to access my old user acount folder in the documents and settings folder an error pops up saying 'access is denied'. Im thinking i may be able to access it from dos but im running ntfs so it doesnt detect my drive. Can someone please help me out on getting into this folder since all my f---ING mp3's are there and i dont want to start over again.

With new installations SIDs (Security ID) change.For example you had a user User1 (SID 1011).When you reinstall and create a new user User1 (SID 1111).SID 1111 can not access the files that 1111 can.Give access to everyone on that folder.Or take ownership and give it to User1 (SID 1111)

how do I give myself access. it wont let me change anything. like if i want to take off read-only it wont let. do i change it in the user accounts. I have administrator privlegies already but that doesnt work. I had another folder in my C: drive with the same problem. but i fixed it by sharing the folder. unfortunently it wont let me do that with the account folder

Well, the easiest way is to use linux with the experimental NTFS (read-only) driver. But that may not be a viable alternative for ya. Have you tried logging in as the Admin?