Old user profile question.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris S
  • Start date Start date
C

Chris S

I recently re-installed Windows XP PRO due to some
preformance issues and viruses; it would be eaiser.

I slip the CD in a reboot, go through setup, but it never
asked me about reformatting, so I forgot.

Now I have it installed but can't delete or access my old
profile (I still need some files from it).

If anyone could tell me how to unlock it that would be
great. I stil know the password and stuff or it. It just
says access denied and dson't give me an opiton to try
and login to it or anything.

Thanks.
 
Chris said:
I recently re-installed Windows XP PRO due to some
preformance issues and viruses; it would be eaiser.

I slip the CD in a reboot, go through setup, but it never
asked me about reformatting, so I forgot.

Now I have it installed but can't delete or access my old
profile (I still need some files from it).

If anyone could tell me how to unlock it that would be
great. I stil know the password and stuff or it. It just
says access denied and dson't give me an opiton to try
and login to it or anything.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Chris

You simply need to take ownership of those files in the old profile. You can
also copy the old user profile into a newly created profile, if you wish.
See these articles for the step by step instructions.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP-Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://www.mvps.org
 
In addition to Ronnie Vernon's instructions, included in the instructions
below are instructions for how to format during XP Setup:
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

A few screens into the boot process, if you see the message on the boot
screen to "Press any key in order to boot from the CD," do so.

After loading drivers and files, you should be taken to a screen with
the following:

To Setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R.
To Quit setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

In your case, press ENTER.

Agree to the License agreement by pressing F8.

You will then be taken to a screen with two options.

To repair the selected Windows XP installation press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing,
press ESC.

This will bring you to a partition map where you
can delete, create and format partitions.
Select the drive you wish to format, delete the partition, then create a new
partition, format as desired and continue with XP installation.
 
I knew how to format - But I needed the files and didnt have any floppys or a CD burner.

Thanks for the help guys :-D
 
Others answered with regard to accessing your files. Your original post
stated as follows:

"I slip the CD in a reboot, go through setup, but it never
asked me about reformatting, so I forgot."

If you check the instructions I posted, it explains how to get to the area
to format as, depending upon the install scenario, setup won't automatically
ask you if you wish to format. That was the problem I was addressing and,
at least according to your original post, you were unaware of that
information.
 
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