rwmj5

worked like a charm. I just booted up from the previous install, clicked properties, sharing, and unclicked do not allow other users to see this folder. (after dealing with the stupid jumpers/ide cables/power connectors)

The folders were not encrypted, just set as "do not allow other users to view my files" under the user accounts setup. I cannot actually get to the security tab when i right click on properties. I can get to the sharing tab when i click on properties, but I cannot get the advanced security settings. I would literally have to switch my old hard drive from slave to master and boot that copy of windows and if it booted, id be able to get to access those files. I guess ill just try that, I just hate dealing with hard drives and IDE cables.

I installed XP on a separate hard disk than my original Xp installation, and when I try to access my documents on the original hard disk, it says that access is denied. I had used the Do not allow others to see your files option for the previous installation, and I was wondering how I could now access that old my documents folder from my new install.