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Hi last week I had a problem with my computer were it wouldn't boot up. So I decided to reinstalling windows but a friend at work mentioned about doing an overlay which would allow me to keep my old files so i decided to go with this method but now once I load up none of my files are there none of my drivers are there yet on my local drive it's saying its half full so I know my files are still there but I just can't find them any help would be much appreciated

Thanks

Hello chiefbrutalis,

Welcome to PCHF.

If you installed windows over your original copy of windows, your settings and drivers will no longer be installed. You will still be able to access your personal documents or files.

If you formatted before installing windows then everything will be lost!

thanks for the welcome

I have installed windows over the top of my original copy but it still wont let me access or see any of my personal documents or files. is this because they could be hidden if so how do I find them Thanks

Have a look in c:\documents and settings. If they haven't been wiped, you should see your old username there. Double click on your username, and go to "My Documents"?

Once I click onto my old profile it comes up with access denied is there a way around this ?? thanks

Yes there is!

Reboot your PC. On bootup, just past the post screen, press F8. You will get your boot options screen. Go to Safe Mode.

Once in safe mode, logon as user "Administrator". You will need the administrator password you chose when Windows was first setup.

If you still have problems accessing it from here:
- Right-click the folder that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
- Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
- Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
- In the Name list, click your user name, or click "Administrator".
- Select Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
- Click OK, and then click Yes when you receive the following message:

"You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folder name. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?"
All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes.

- Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and its contents.

This page contains some info on taking the ownership of maps in Windows XP too:
How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP