my computer recently crashed and i had to reinstall windows how can i get back all my pics , music, emails etc

Answer 1

Ok - you had to reinstall Windows. The first question to ask is: Did you reformat your hard drive before you reinstalled? If not, there's still a chance but it depends on where you kept them. But if you did, they are gone unless you had copied them off to a floppy, or CD or even another drive before you reformatted.

If you kept your pics, music, emails, etc. in the "Windows" folder, then they are gone because the reinstall deletes and recreates the Windows folder.

If you kept them in other folders off the root (C:\), then you should be okay. Open your "My Computer" folder. Then open the "C" drive and look through the folders. OR you can do a search for a file you know you had before the reinstall.

Best rule of thumb to keep in mind is: If you have to reinstall your operating system (Windows, in this case), then you should copy off everything you want or need to keep before you do the reinstall - this is especially true if you are going to reformat your hard drive.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Once you re-set up Windows you ought to re-set up all of the drivers as good. Having formatted you could have eliminated ALL the historical documents from it and overwritten their normal area.

Answer 3

just overwrite your old system without formatting it. put your xp cd on cd rom and let it boot there,and tada!!! your on your way!