Help! can't delete old users in XP

[nyarrgh]

2 weeks ago, I reinstalled XP on my PC, opting not to reformat the hard disk but just to let the install prog erase the old windows directory. I thought I could clean up afterwards. Now here is the problem:

users I recreated were given a new directory in "documents and settings" eg. old xp had a folder named :

"D:\Documents and Settings\nyarrgh\"

when i recreated this user, the folder wasn't replaced, but another was created named:

"D:\Documents and Settings\nyarrgh.windows\"

the old nyarrgh user was a password protected user with admin rights. It had a ton of documents totalling around 2GB. the problem is that I can't delete the original directory/user now. Even logged in as administrator in SAFE mode, the directory is inaccessible. I can access the files using NTFS4DOS but I cannot delete the directory and I need the space!!!

I am using WinXP professional, installed on second hard disk (D formatted as NTFS.
I cannot reformat/reinstall since this is a laptop, I am assigned on site (away from home) and most of the software is at home. I brought along a copy of XP for times when it asks for the CD, but the original CD along with the CD key is at home. All other software is at home too... arrgh!!!!

 

[TheRabidPenguin]

Check to see who has ownership of that folder (right click on it and go into properties|security) and see what kind of rights are assigned. That will at least let you know who is authorized to remove the folder.

 

[nyarrgh]

it belongs to a user that doesn't exist anymore

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

if you are admin, take ownership of it!