Hi, I'm struggling with this problem: I have reinstalled the xp, everything works fine but I cannot access my old user accounts and the desktop items that I have there previously. is there anyway how to "hack" it? I cannot access them not even as a logged in Administrator, which teoreticlay makes sense because of the reinstal, but is there a way how to gain access to those old user accounts?? I would appreciate any help. Thank you in advance. Michal

Michal, I feel your pain & I have the exact same situation. I posted below and a reply was posted with this url: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421 The article tells how to take control of files and folders but I haven't figured it out yet. If I do, I will post here again. You could give it a try and it you can get it to work, let me know. I'm using XP Home so I have to boot in safe mode to do it, which I did but there are several users listed and it doesn't make sense to me.

I forgot to say, Going through My Computer, Documents and Settings I can access all the old files, and all the old program files are still listed, but I can't get them to do what they used to do. Hopefully someone can help.

This is the same problem Ive encountered, its just a big Microsoft #BUG# you files are lost you might as well delete them. Ive tried everything possible. its better to ask then to f*ck up!

ok guys I spent 1 hour on the net trying to figure out, and I got it...the full access over all accounts on multiple OS's installed on single comp. the way i did was: 1/ run the computer in safe mode, and log in as administrator. then go to whatever folder it gave you "access denied" before and right click..then go to sharing and there is gonna be advanced button on the bottom.. once you click it there are going to be several tabs on the top..one of them says ownership or owners kind of thing..click on it...then select the highlighted administrator/something in the bottom.. and check the little box that is on the bottom of that window..it says transfer ownership rights or something, and hit ok..that way you will gain access over everyhing that the folder contains..you can also do the same thing with the whole HDD if you want..that's what I did..and it works...I hope it's not tto confusing..cauze I wrote it just from top of my head..I hope it works..If not let me know and we can work it out over the email or over here. good luck..Michal