Loss of Data

[tzpl6636]

Here's the problem:
I have Windows XP with an AMd K7 Athlon Motherboard 1200+
When i tried to boot the computer an error message cam up that a .dll file was missing and the logon screen wouldn't show it was just blank, so i put the xp cd into to reinstall windows. I did. but it deleted all the previous users and there were files on my old users desktop that i needed. I was wondering if there was anyway to retrieve them, through DOS or something. The files on my two hard drives are still on there but they had to be reinstalled so that they would show up in the start menu. I need to retrieve those files that were on my desktop. If anyone could help me or need more information to figure out this problem please ask. Thank You, Pat

[meese]

The old user is still on the hard drive. Open window explorer drill down to C:\Documents and Settings. This is where all users information is kept. Look for you old user name. You should be able to access your files, but you may hevae to change the permissions on the folder before you can access them.

[blubomber]

i agree with meese. Unless, when you reinstalled windows, you told it to format the drive or delete the winnt directory. When i reinstalled windows XP Pro last week, i told it to use the existing winnt folder on my C: drive and it said it was going to delete all the info in that folder.

If that is the case, you will have to go out and purchase a file recovery program. Do not install any more software until you have attempted to recover your files. A friend of mine reformatted his laptop a couple of times before reinstalling XP and then ran a file recovery program and retrieved all of his files. I appologize but i do not recall the name of the program of the software vendor, but it was pretty well know.

[DVNT1]

Data recovery software