How do I access files off XP drive in Vista?

crossfit · 07-16-2009, 10:27 PM

My XP tower recently failed. I saved the hard drive. I plugged it into the new tower I bought that runs on Vista Premium. I can see the drive. My question is how do I open the files (pics, videos, music). I already backed it up onto and external drive.

**raptor_pa** · 07-17-2009, 06:59 AM

What error message do you get when you try to open the files/folders using explorer?

crossfit · 07-17-2009, 10:22 AM

I have not gotten an error message yet. I just dont know where to look. I just see a list of folders. I have tried looking through them with no luck? Do i need software for this?

**raptor_pa** · 07-17-2009, 11:39 AM

Well it depends on the folder where you saved the files... just double click the folder. If you accepted the defaults then documents and settings\username\my documents - no software is going to know where you saved the files to.

crossfit · 07-17-2009, 02:22 PM

ok so if I had a video saved to the desktop how would I go about finding that file?

**raptor_pa** · 07-17-2009, 02:28 PM

Your desktop is a folder in your documents and settings\username folder. If you know the name or part of the name of the file, then use the windows search box.

crossfit · 07-17-2009, 02:42 PM

when i open the desktop all i see are the shortcuts. Im wondering if files were erased. This all started after I was getting a boot error message. i tiried to use the recovery disks. After many futile attempts and trying three new drives i realized it wasnt the drive. There is still information on it though so im thinking the recovery never went through. I just cant find the files.

**raptor_pa** · 07-17-2009, 06:34 PM

Do a search for the filenames if you know what they are, or even part of the name. If you used the recovery disks, it may have formatted which means you would need to use recovery software to get the files back. Recuva would be a good starting point

07-16-2009, 10:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
crossfit Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Viste premium	How do I access files off XP drive in Vista? My XP tower recently failed. I saved the hard drive. I plugged it into the new tower I bought that runs on Vista Premium. I can see the drive. My question is how do I open the files (pics, videos, music). I already backed it up onto and external drive.

07-17-2009, 06:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,892 OS: XP	Re: How do I access files off XP drive in Vista? What error message do you get when you try to open the files/folders using explorer? __________________

07-17-2009, 10:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
crossfit Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Viste premium	Re: How do I access files off XP drive in Vista? I have not gotten an error message yet. I just dont know where to look. I just see a list of folders. I have tried looking through them with no luck? Do i need software for this?

07-17-2009, 11:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,892 OS: XP	Re: How do I access files off XP drive in Vista? Well it depends on the folder where you saved the files... just double click the folder. If you accepted the defaults then documents and settings\username\my documents - no software is going to know where you saved the files to. __________________

07-17-2009, 02:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
crossfit Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Viste premium	Re: How do I access files off XP drive in Vista? ok so if I had a video saved to the desktop how would I go about finding that file?

07-17-2009, 02:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,892 OS: XP	Re: How do I access files off XP drive in Vista? Your desktop is a folder in your documents and settings\username folder. If you know the name or part of the name of the file, then use the windows search box. __________________

07-17-2009, 02:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
crossfit Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Viste premium	Re: How do I access files off XP drive in Vista? when i open the desktop all i see are the shortcuts. Im wondering if files were erased. This all started after I was getting a boot error message. i tiried to use the recovery disks. After many futile attempts and trying three new drives i realized it wasnt the drive. There is still information on it though so im thinking the recovery never went through. I just cant find the files.

07-17-2009, 06:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,892 OS: XP	Re: How do I access files off XP drive in Vista? Do a search for the filenames if you know what they are, or even part of the name. If you used the recovery disks, it may have formatted which means you would need to use recovery software to get the files back. Recuva would be a good starting point __________________