My Documents lost in windows xp home reinstall.

Ok here is the story in brief. Windows was corrupted, I reinstalled windows xp home on the system however didnt perform a format, just deleted the WINDOWS folder. So everything went peachy until I got into the system and realised that windows had also done something to My Documents. Does anyone know an easy way to recover My Documents from such a scenario?

 

Andrew, Installing Windows XP to the same directory can work if done correctly. It has the advantage of preserving your personal files. It also has the disadvantage of destroying your personal files if you do it incorrectly.

The common mistake that causes destruction of the user files is to choose the same user name when installing. That will generally write over your existing user files and get you where you are now.

I know of no sure way to recover them. You can Google for file recovery tools but I hold little hope for you.

It's a little late for directions but if you ever try that again, rename the Documents And Settings folder and the Program Files folder before doing the install and they will be preserved. The programs will need to be reinstalled but you'll have access to the old ones and can later copy any personal setting and data files out to the new locations. You have to use a PE boot disk to do the renaming since XP won't allow it when active.

 

I see, thankyour very much for this advice. Yes it seems I have done it the wrong way. Would anyone else know of the possibility for successful data recovery?

 

No it's gone I know I did it to myself. So don't think you're alone.

 

there must be a way!!