Help a Tightarse out please :)

[(RIP) Proff]

OK
yesterday whilst out riding bike, wifey decided to use 'pooter.
She knows not how it happened but she got dreaded blue screen and CRASH
After all evening and reinstalling I've got it up and running again.
PROBLEM is I've lost 80% of my files pics etc.
I tried two shareware recovery systems and I can recover 80% or more of it from the drive C.
BUT when I try to save them a popup says I've got to register for a license and PAY $70.00
for a 1 off !!!
It's galling seeing everything there, and not being able to regain it
The 2 recovery progs I used are >>
Recover my files v3.98 and

File recover from PC tools software.
both advertised as shareware. but both try to sting my pocket
Any wizards amongst you lot out there????

 

[centaur]

Need some more details. What OS are you using, is it a PC or laptop and what exactly did you reinstall and why ?

Usually when u get a BSOD a reboot will trigger a disc cleanup and allow access again.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Need some more details. What OS are you using, is it a PC or laptop and what exactly did you reinstall and why ?

Usually when u get a BSOD a reboot will trigger a disc cleanup and allow access again.

PC Fujitsu Siemens.
Windows XP sp2.
Reinstalled cos it just kept trying to restart and failing.
F1 and F12 buttons and follow up would not do anything, I put the repair disc in and it would not repair, said reinstall windows.
Thing is the Folder I want is still there, but it says its empty. it isn't we know but pooter sez it is . if I try to open it i get >>
C:\ documents and settings\Keith is not accessible.
Access is denied

 

[centaur]

Have you tried booting into DOS mode and looking at the folder that way ?

Does XP show any ' System restore' points prior to your reload ?

 

[Dickieboy]

Prof try booting up in safe mode and log on as administrator, might work.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Tried it Dickie it sez no.
Last restore point it will go back to is yesterday After!! the crash.
It's bloody frustrating seeing, going through and yet I can't restore the damn files

 

[judge]

I'd be changing the jumper settings on the hard drive, whacking it in another pc with a fully working XP and pulling the files out from the now secondary drive, then reformat, program re-installs, file restore from 2nd drive and then invest in a suitable back-up and disk imaging strategy.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Thanks Judge
I've got another pooter [bought it today for wife, let her feck her own one up} also got a spare 40 gig H/D. I'll give it a go tomorrow