I think a boot-sector virus got the best of my XP MCE install.

I tried to get rid of the virus (or so I thought it was). Upon entering "safe mode", a list of files would appear and the PC would restart. The blue screen explained that I may have had a virus or another thing that I can't remember.

Since I needed my PC, I installed XP MCE again; so there are currently 2 MCE OS on the same drive/partition. Of course, one of them (the older one) is not accessible at all - the blue bar loads for a second or two then the PC restarts - but my second install works fine.

I want to reformat my PC but I *must* gain access to my main account folder on my previous installation.

I tried using "Offline NT Password & Registry editor" (Offline Windows Password & Registry Editor). I found the accounts, and keyed in the respective commands for the program to both clear and unlock both "admin" and "evolove" (evolove is the account name on the first install, the folder which is locked and I need). Upon reboot, I tried to access "evolove" through my current install and it was still locked =/

Am I doing something wrong? I read the walk-through for the program, I couldn't identify any mistakes on my end. Is there a way I can access the registry of the old OS and maybe delete a file that is responsible for securing the "evolove" folder?

Thanks for your time ^_^

why do you need to get into the old operating syatem, if you need to backup anything from it just access it from the seconf on, if you just want to reinstal wipe both and start again, or am i missing something.

Yeah the problem is that I have a folder on my previous install - the corrupted one I mean - and I set it to where the folders are private ( the option XP presents in "user accounts" to make "files private" for an account, so other accounts can't gain access to them). So the folder is locked by XP, I did it myself. There is no password for the actual account. The only locked thing is the *main account folder* (called "evolove") for which there is no password, it's just a feature of XP I'm battling against, I assume?

have you tried recuva that normally works regardless of passwords, either that or try a repair install on the first os, does it not give you an option to take control of the folder in properties > advanced

I tried changing the folder properties, I didn't see any option you mentioned (I right-clicked the folder)

I tried Recuva but I can't seem to gain access to the files, is it only for deleted files?

if you right click properties securrity you chould find you can take ownership of the files, not entirely sure with recuva might be, did you try a repair install on the first os, or if it gives an option restore to earlier date