I have a system that has nearly filled my 40GB hard disc. I have managed to corrupt the operating bsystem so that the system would not work. As I was going to expand the system by buying a 2nd hard disk I have re-installed the OS (Windows XP) on the new disk, but have a pile of data on the other (old) disk.

We all had our own log on, and some of the CHILDREN had declared a password to login. I can see the data in the directories for the people who have not declared a password, but can not see the directories of those that have declared a password.

How can I gain access to these?Just thinking aloud really. Cut and paste the data which you can see to the new drive. (How big is your new drive, btw.)

This will give you space on the old drive.

Replace the old drive as Master. Then run the recovery console from the XP CD and run chkdsk at the prompt. Then see if it will boot to the desktop, and if it will, run sfc /scannow.

OR http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

hook up the old hard drive as the slave move the jumpers>maybe this will do it>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q306186Log in as Administrator. RIGHT CLICK on the directory that you cannot see. Left click on Properties. Left click on Security. Left click on Advanced. Left click on Owner. Choose a new owner -- Administrator in your case, and then click apply. Click Ok.

Try now to see those directories and files. If it doesn't work, then you should set the security for that directory. But just in case you can't access those files.
From now on it is very simple to gain access to files. Just play with security tab. (Right click on directory, properties, security). If the Security tab does not appear, you have to disable simple security and sharing (or something similar).THANKS for the sugestions CHAPS - I had no luck, so I just bit the bullet and deleted it all.



Sheer presure has made you conside its seems>http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm