[almightybob7]

Okay, thanks Rog. I'll try those out. Just please keep an eye on this space in case it doesn't work. I'll post back with the results of the procedures.

[almightybob7]

My whole user account is gone from the list. All thats left is the C:\Documents and Settings folder that has all of the stuff in it. I don't think that logging in from safe mode will work because because it would appear as though the user profile is gone. I hope it isn't, but if it is, I think that I've found out the answer I've been dreading--- I won't have all of my personal settings and such. I'm not sure about whether or not this can be fixed.

Also, I'm wondering about something. If I intentionally deleted a system file, ran a repair install and then chose my old username as my username, would the old user account folder get over-written, or would it actually work.

Just wondering about that.

[Rollin' Rog]

I'm not sure what would happen if you did another overinstall. But deleting a system file is useless, since if System File Protection is working, it gets automatically replaced.

Clarify just what is stopping you from accessing that folder?

You should, as long as you have Administrative Rights, be able to take possession of it.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;308421

[almightybob7]

I can access the folder, but if I try to get into some of the subfolders, I get an error message saying that access is denied. I can get into some other subfolders, but I still can't use the programs that were installed from that user profile, so I want to get that user profile working again.

[Rollin' Rog]

You need to add your current user name to the permissions list; I have XP Home so it isn't easy for me to check this without going into Safe Mode -- but the MS article covers PRO and should get you through it. Permissions for the Parent folder, should , if I recall correctly, include an option to include all sub folders.

Here's another article as well:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;308418

[almightybob7]

Ok thanks. I think that I'll just go and reinstall all my programs and stuff and just make my current user account the same as my old one. Now that I can access those folders, thas what I'll do. Thanks!

[Rollin' Rog]

[apydoesntknowita]

I was having the same problem as the guy above and was following the attached word doc instructions to a t. I seemed to be working until I got to the point of copy C:\windows\repair\system C:\windows\system32\config\system


to which I received the nice reply of The system cannot find the file specified

I typed it 5 times perfectly and each time I had the same response. HELP!!!!!!!

[Rollin' Rog]

Try this command instead:

copy C:\windows\repair\system.bak C:\windows\system32\config\system

[apydoesntknowita]

The code worked but now none of my USB ports work (for the mouse) and when I manually do start and highlight internet explorer, it says there isn't an internet connection. Also when it first started up, and error message said
“resorceDLL Error (1-287)"

[Rollin' Rog]

OEM systems like Dell sometimes present issues such as that, or worse.

I would restore the backups you should have saved to a "tmp" directory in the first part of the directions to the config directory.

For example: Copy C:\windows\tmp\software.bak C:\windows\system32\config\software

Then reboot with the XP CD and do an over the top reinstall.

Use these directions as a guide >> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[apydoesntknowita]

Okay so i started making temp files again but when i got to the copy C:\windows\system32\config\sam C:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
and I get "the system cannot find the file specified."

[apydoesntknowita]

wait... now I see what your saying... hang on

[apydoesntknowita]

I've been doing the over the top install but it's been on "Installing Windows... Setup will complete in approximately:35 minutes" screen for almost 2 hours. Now what?

[Rollin' Rog]

Try simplifying the hardware installation to the absolute minimum, remove all PCI cards that are not required for booting; use a ps/2 mouse and keyboard if possible.

The nearest I can come to addressing that is this >>

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811267/

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828267/en-us