Programs not recognized after Windows repair

[Guest]

I just repaired my XP home OS and now most of the programs I have will not run. When I click on them I get a variety of reasons, but when I open the C drive they are there, apparently in their entirety. I assume repair removed links from the OS to the programs, but is there any way, short of reinstalling the programs themselves, that I can get them to run again? Also, my saved documents, photos, and mp3's seem to be gone, but I have a feeling they are hanging around somewhere. Is there anyway to find and save them?

 

[Sharon F]

I just repaired my XP home OS and now most of the programs I have will
not run. When I click on them I get a variety of reasons, but when I
open the C drive they are there, apparently in their entirety. I assume
repair removed links from the OS to the programs, but is there any way,
short of reinstalling the programs themselves, that I can get them to
run again? Also, my saved documents, photos, and mp3's seem to be gone,
but I have a feeling they are hanging around somewhere. Is there anyway
to find and save them?

Is it possible that you created a second Windows installation or replaced
the old installation, instead of a performing repair install? It sounds
like the new Windows installation knows absolutely nothing about your
installed software. If a true repair had occurred, the program information
would have been carried over to the new installation.

To get back the programs now, you'll need to reinstall them.

Try using Folder Options> View to show all hidden files and folders. Then
search for a few of your old files. If they're still around, they should
turn up in the search results.

When/if found, copy them to the folders for you new user account. If you
run into an "access denied" message, take ownership of the files and then
move them.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421