Recover a deleted user account

Zaise · 07-02-2009, 09:25 PM

So my computer received some error today upon startup. I ran my Compaq system repair which deleted all my user accounts. I logged into the administrator and found that my files are still in Documents and Settings. So, I created a new account and tried copying all the files from my previous user in Documents and Settings to the new one. Problem is, I get an error that says "Cannot Copy File: "
How do I fix this?

Thanks in advance.

**atavist** · 07-02-2009, 10:43 PM

try a live cd, like ubuntu. that should mount your ntfs or fat32 partition(s) and allow you to copy the files you need.

alternatively, if you log in to administrator, without first logging in to your main account you should be able to copy the profile. if you have any errors, you may need to take ownership of the folder and sub folders. let me know if the live cd doesn't work and i'll walk you through it.

Zaise · 07-03-2009, 08:51 AM

Thanks for helping!
Unfortunately, I'm not a very computer-smart guy and I still don't really understand how to fix this problem. How does the live cd work?

**simpswr** · 07-03-2009, 10:11 AM

Try taking ownnership of the files and folders, then copy them

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

**atavist** · 07-03-2009, 10:20 AM

a live cd is an operating system on a cd. in this case it would be ubuntu. it contains the entire os, so you can run it without affecting the data on your existing hard drive. but you can access the data on your existing hard drive, which is of course where the real usefulness in this case comes in.

give it a try. download ubuntu.

Zaise · 07-03-2009, 01:39 PM

Thanks, I'll try all of that.

Also, I've noticed that recently the process "csrss.exe" has been taking up a lot of my computer memory usage, causing my computer to lag. To check if it wasn't a virus I tried to end its process, which didn't allow me to. Is there any reason this process is taking up more memory than it normally does?

07-02-2009, 09:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zaise Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 27 OS: Windows XP	Recover a deleted user account So my computer received some error today upon startup. I ran my Compaq system repair which deleted all my user accounts. I logged into the administrator and found that my files are still in Documents and Settings. So, I created a new account and tried copying all the files from my previous user in Documents and Settings to the new one. Problem is, I get an error that says "Cannot Copy File: " How do I fix this? Thanks in advance.

07-02-2009, 10:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
atavist TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 582 OS: XP Pro x64	Re: Recover a deleted user account try a live cd, like ubuntu. that should mount your ntfs or fat32 partition(s) and allow you to copy the files you need. alternatively, if you log in to administrator, without first logging in to your main account you should be able to copy the profile. if you have any errors, you may need to take ownership of the folder and sub folders. let me know if the live cd doesn't work and i'll walk you through it.

07-03-2009, 08:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
Zaise Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 27 OS: Windows XP	Re: Recover a deleted user account Thanks for helping! Unfortunately, I'm not a very computer-smart guy and I still don't really understand how to fix this problem. How does the live cd work?

07-03-2009, 10:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 13,451 OS: XP, Win 7	Re: Recover a deleted user account Try taking ownnership of the files and folders, then copy them http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421 __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

07-03-2009, 10:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
atavist TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 582 OS: XP Pro x64	Re: Recover a deleted user account a live cd is an operating system on a cd. in this case it would be ubuntu. it contains the entire os, so you can run it without affecting the data on your existing hard drive. but you can access the data on your existing hard drive, which is of course where the real usefulness in this case comes in. give it a try. download ubuntu.

07-03-2009, 01:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zaise Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 27 OS: Windows XP	Re: Recover a deleted user account Thanks, I'll try all of that. Also, I've noticed that recently the process "csrss.exe" has been taking up a lot of my computer memory usage, causing my computer to lag. To check if it wasn't a virus I tried to end its process, which didn't allow me to. Is there any reason this process is taking up more memory than it normally does?