Windows problem after HD install

[Bikewer]

I'll try to be concise....

After installing my new hard drive, everything seemed to be sweetness and light. Used the computer all day without problems, and shut it down for the night. Next day, it wouldn't start. Some file or other was corrupt or missing.

So, I dug out the Gateway-supplied Operating System disc, and tried to use the repair utility. Unfortunately, it wanted me to log in as administrator. Now, I have no memory of ever setting up an administrator account on this rig, and I tried the normal password I use for most everything, but no go. Locked out of my own computer.

I could have just swapped drives around again, I suppose, as the original "C" drive was still functional. However, I decided to re-install Windows. I had it in mind that it would just overwrite the installation on the C drive and I'd be cool.

Not so. The disc decided to install the new copy on my secondary (E) drive.

So, now I have two Windows XP installations, one functional and one not. This left things a little wonky; the new install wouldn't recognize any of my installed programs, for instance. However, everything seems to be working OK. Most of the programs just need going back into the folder and starting up from the .exe. New shortcuts and all. I ran my PC Pitstop system utility and squared away some registry entries. The auto update has taken the new install up to SP2.

Only one problem:

I have a number of Word documents and other files in My Documents on the "C" drive. I cannot open or move these. I get an error message saying I don't have access. I'm assuming that this is due to the "administrator" mode being in effect on that installation.

So...Any ideas on how I can recover these files? Can I safely delete the old Windows XP install? Will that cause the registry to go bonkers?
I really don't want to reformat these drives and start over.

 

[ShowMe]

So...Any ideas on how I can recover these files? Can I safely delete the old Windows XP install? Will that cause the registry to go bonkers?
I really don't want to reformat these drives and start over.

since you already have two drives in the system I would download Knoppix. It's a Linux-based operating system that fits on a CD. You Boot fromt he CD, mount both of your drives (very easy & intuitive) and then copy the files you want from one hard drive to the other.

 

[jeremyp]

You Boot fromt he CD, mount both of your drives (very easy & intuitive) and then copy the files you want from one hard drive to the other.

That will only work if Knoppix allows you to mount an Windows NTFS file system read/write. Since Microsoft have never released the specs of NTFS, most Linuxes will only let you mount a Windows drive read only to stop you from accidentally corrupting it due to the driver not knowing about some undocumented feature.

 

[Macoy]

Try this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

 

[ShowMe]

That will only work if Knoppix allows you to mount an Windows NTFS file system read/write. Since Microsoft have never released the specs of NTFS, most Linuxes will only let you mount a Windows drive read only to stop you from accidentally corrupting it due to the driver not knowing about some undocumented feature.

True, I use an older version of Knoppix that allows me to mount the drives, but I'm told it doesn't always work.

If that's the case then an investment into a USB key, or a small drive formatted FAT would certainly be in order.

Or setting up another system as an FTP server and moving the files that way.