prvious version windows xp file access

I have two partitions on my hard drive, one for the operating program and the other for data files. I re-formatted and installed Vista on the operating system patrtition. However, there were several directories on the data paartition that I apparantly protected so that guest accounts on my previous XP installation could not open them. Under Vista, any attemt to open the files result in a "Windows cannot access the file." Is there a way to recover these files or are the encrypted beyond recovery? Unfortunately, I did not backup the previous XP installation as I figured I would just do a clean install due to several ongoing issues I was experiencing. Also, the administrator name and password are the same for both the XP and Vista installations.

Log with an account that has administrative privilege.
Open My Computer and right click the partition that contains the files you want to access and select Properties.
Click on the Security tab.
Click the Edit... button.
Click the Add... button.
Enter the local username of the account you want to have access to the partition (use ; for multiple usernames).
Click the Check Name button and confirm the usernames were recognized (underlined).
Click OK.
Find that username in the list and single left click to highlight it.
Click the check box for Full Access under the Allow column.
Click OK then click OK again.
You now have full access to that partition under Windows Vista.
God Bless, Wayne
"garvinr" wrote in message

I have two partitions on my hard drive, one for the operating program and the other for data files. I re-formatted and installed Vista on the operating system patrtition. However, there were several directories on the data paartition that I apparantly protected so that guest accounts on my previous XP installation could not open them. Under Vista, any attemt to open the files result in a "Windows cannot access the file." Is there a way to recover these files or are the encrypted beyond recovery? Unfortunately, I did not backup the previous XP installation as I figured I would just do a clean install due to several ongoing issues I was experiencing. Also, the administrator name and password are the same for both the XP and Vista installations.