Log On Help

I had to reinstall XP. Now, though going into explore gives me all my original data, I can't seem to log on to the original users. When I try to add those users, it just creates a new file, not letting me access the old file. How do I log on to my old files?

 

Pete,
I don't think this is what I am looking for. I already had access to the files. What I am looking for is to have the user icon come up when Windows starts up, allowing me to go directly to that desktop, without having to use explore. I can add more users, but putting in the names on these files doesn't work to pull up these files. When I input my name as a new user under create a new account, the new file comes out as "my name,BARRY" with BARRY being the name of the computer. Any other suggestions? Thanks for the help.
Barry

 

I just want to see if I'm understanding this right. Before the OS reinstall, you had lets say Barry, Mick and Frank at the windows logon screen. Afterwards, you have ???, but not Barry, Mick and Frank. You logon and can access all of B, M and F's files through windows explorer. You create a new Barry account, and at logon have ??? and Barry,Barry which stands for Barry the user on Barry's computer, yet logging on to that account does not log you on to the original Barry account. My documents in this new Barry,Barry is not the same folder as the Barry account folder. And this applies to all users on the PC.

Do I understand you correctly?

 

Exactly!!!!!

 

Barry,

When you open C:\Documents and Settings, what folders are there?

 

When I use explore, I can find all my saved documents. When I don't, I find just the sample music and sample pictures.

 

Barry,

Open My Computer, then C: drive, then Documents and Settings and let me know what folders are there. You don't have to use real names if you don't want to. Just Barry, Mick and Frank, plus any others (the real names) will work if they are there.

 

Administrator
Larry
Moe
CurlyJoe
Default User
All Users, WINDOWS
Larry,BARRY
Moe,BARRY
Default User.WINDOWS

 

OK. Now in control panel>user accounts, what is listed?

 

Forum,

This

looks to me like the reinstall created another set of system files rather than over writing the existing. Like in 98 when it wants to install to C:\Windows.001. Possibly original install was in C:\WINNT, like mine was, and now it's in C:\Windows and C:\WINNT? Anyone have more thoughts on this?

 

Control panel just says
Larry
Moe
CurlyJoe
Guest

 

Hi Barry,

I wish that I or someone had a possible fix or things to try, but it doesn't look that way. My best suggestion is to backup all the personal data, docs., pics., favorites, etc. to cd, second drive or partition, then format and clean install. Create new accounts and put the data back.

I do think that the reinstall was to a different system folder and although I've found documentation for uninstalling an upgrade of XP, I've not found anything for uninstalling a failed reinstallation. If you want to play with it rather than wiping, make sure hidden and system files are set to show and search the drive for the folder system32. If you have 2, and you can determine which one is your original, you could possibly use a program like move-on-boot or Dr. Delete to delete the newer folder, which might allow it to boot to the original installation. All just theory Let us know how you make out.

 

Barry, did you read and try PeteC's original suggestion, of taking ownership of the files?

Or, put everything in one new account. Delete old accounts, one at a time, create new ones, move data and settings back in from the "new" account, then assign admin priv to Barry, and delete "new" account.

Ann, where are you?

Johanna

 

Johanna,
I followed Pete's suggestion, but it didn't do anything for me. I already had access to the data. I was thinking of just copy and pasting all the data from the old users to the new users, but I'm finding other quirks with the program also ( Stand By is disabled and scanning leads to error messages too frequently). I think I may be best off just putting all my documents/music/pictures on CDs then reformatting and reinstalling XP on both my hard drives. I just don't have the time to do it right now. Unless someone has a better suggestion, I'll probably do that this weekend. Maybe I should just do one drive at a time and not bother with putting everything on CDs. Any suggestions? By the way, the system 32 files were found in sj654, WINDOWS, Local Disk (C)\sj654, Local Disk (C)\WINDOWS, Local Disk (C)\WINDOWS\LastGood and Local Disk (C)\WINDOWS\LastGood.tmp.
Barry

 

when u re-installed xp, did u create again the users with same names ? coz xp uses the sid identification which means that if u delete an account and re-create it with exactly same names/password, they would still be different for xp, coz the sid will be another unique value, and the sid of the first user cannot be used again. this can also create problems with encypted files and public keys, since they make use of the sid value.

 

Barry
I had this same problem when I first started to play around with my comp. In the end it looked like I had two sets of windows on one drive. I was told by many that it was not possible but many files were duplicated. I had two lots of my documents two my pictures, my music, default users, and two administrators. was very difficult knowing where my documents were being filed. In the end i did a clean reformatt and install. Back up your files first though.
Stitch

 

I install XP on my backup drive also. I just install duplicate files and minimal programs. In case I have problems with one drive, I can still access my computer and get online with the other drive. It is like having a backup computer.
When I reinstalled XP I did use the same user names. Will I be able to use the same names when I format and reinstall?
I think I'll wait till I get the Windows Security Update CD
Updated Date: March 23, 2004 freebie that Pete wrote about at the top of this forum, then reformat and reinstall. Thanks for the info Pete.

 

Yes.