WinXP reinstalled,locked out of user act

My computer failed to install SP1 right a year or two back which caused SP2 to not install, so I decided to install a fresh Windows copy over the old one to keep all my HD data but also get rid of the corrupt windows update. Little did I know that it would not keep my user accouts. My old user account had “hide my files from other users” selected and was PW protected, so in c:\documents and settings the old user folder is there, but it denies access now. I know the password, just can’t access the user folder, and my whole life for the past 6 years is in that folder, please help! I know the data is still there, if it wasn’t I would have about 20 gigs more free space than I do, it’s just encrypted. Thanks for hearing my request. *frustrated*