Windows decided to destroy its Config file during shutdown (suprise!) so I reinstalled XP. I didn't want to lose all of my sweet games and whatnot, so I installed to Windows2 and the copied over all the extra DLLs and things from the other Windows file. Now, the problem is, I can't access my old user account because its password protected, and I can't get to it from the startup screen because it wasn't registered with this installation.

Now, I'm sure there has to be a way to either make it appear on the login screen, or beat the password protection and at least copy everything over to another account, I just don't know how to do it. I made no backups, so I'd like to get some of it back.

Other than that, got the old start menu back, found my drivers, restored the desktop, and I'm ready to go.

I had similar problem: my login got corrupted, and the guest account couldn't access the files. I also needed to fresh install, but didn't want to lose MP3s. Luckilly, my dilligence for wanting to keep my files brought me to the following solution:

Install Windows on another hard drive and set that as master. Put the old installation as slave, and then go to access the files from the other drive using Windows Explorer or whatever. If you have any problem accessing your files to get them back in your control, read this micro$oft guide to "taking ownership of files."
http://support.microsoft.com/default...308421&sd=tech

Hope this helps!

Copied the new System32 folder over the old in safe mode, rewrote what I could. Rebooted, the original XP config was repaired. Now, this is all nice and good, but can anyone tell me why or how this worked? I'm a curious type of person.

Well need less to say both of you helped me out. If you did'nt have a problem. There be no cure.

Thank you both got into my account and can back-up files.