Hi, I ended up reinstalling XP over top of the installation that was already there. Now all my Outlook Express email is gone and I can't get to the old "My Documents". I can see the folder for the old "My Documents" in the "Documents and Settings" directory, but when I click on it, I get an error saying access is denied. Is there any way I can access this? Is there any way I can get my email back (I'm not holding my breath on this one). Also, all the programs I had installed are still there, but they aren't installed for this XP installation. Is there any way I can just make them be installed for this instance of XP or do I have to delete all those folders and intall everything again? Thanks. johnny. PS - i knew reinstalling was a bad idea. but i had to do what i was told.

well Did you use the same login name? I reinstalled perfectly and used the same name and everything was exacly how it was before I reinstalled, but working lol. there is a tool in windows called the document tranfer tool or wizard or something like that.

everything must be where it was, problem is probably with usernames. First be sure you have administrator rights. then go to Documents and Settings folder and look for your old username and new username folders. then copy all contens from old to new. (you will ne to login as diferent user to owerwrite some files, so create another adnimistrator user for that) If you get access denied message you need to take ownership for that folder.

Roy, How do I take ownershipt of a folder? I'm logged in as administrator. And I can see the old folders and new folders. I can access all of them except the one for my old username (which is the same as my new username). I also named the computer the same thing (Monkey) during both installations, so I have a folder called "User Name" and a folder called "User Name.MONKEY". The latter is the new one. Any ideas? Thanks. johnny.

Alrighty Johnny. I had the exact same problem. I too re-installed XP and came across this "Access Denied" crap. Scared me to death till I figured it all out. Here's how to correct this problem. 1. Restart your comp and go into Safe Mode. This can be tricky (at least it is for me. I think Windows hates me). I'll let you figure out how to do that (I'm sure you already know or have an idea. F8). 2. Logon to the Adminstrator. Not your username account even though it has Admin controls, it won't work. Trust me, I tried. 3. Go to the folder in question. c:\documents and settings\name right? Well right click that username folder thats give you crap and go to Properties. 4. Click the security tab and just say ok to the message the pops up. 5. Somewhere on that menu you should see an Advanced tab. Click that and then click the Owner TAB. 6. Your problem is that you don't have permissions to open your own folder. I still don't understand why, but this is the case, so what you're doing here is you're telling XP that you want control of this folder. So with that.. you should click the admin you want. Probably the 2nd choice which is the admin group. 7. Put a check in the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects box. 8. Apply. It's going to give you some message about security and stuff... just click ok. Then it will start working it's magic. 9. Press Yes to everything till all windows are closed or whatever..... 10. At this point I would guess you want to get all the valuables out of there. Copy that stuff and put it elsewhere. 11. You've just been saved. Kevin

Kevin, THANKS! You saved me too! Have a great day / month / year / life! You rock! :-) -Russell

Wow... this worked for me, too. I had set My Documents to point to another folder altogether, and when I reinstalled XP I lost access to that folder ("Access denied"). I got it back with the permissions / access user interface that only comes up in Safe Mode. Thank you, Kevin! I never would have even thought that Safe Mode would have an enhanced permissions UI.