Sometimes when you reinstall WindowsXP, you can receive an Access Denied error when trying to open a previous user's directory.
To take ownership of that folder again:

   1. Log on with an account that has administrator rights
   2. Right click on the folder
   3. Select Properties
   4. Click on the Security tab
   5. Click on the Advanced button
   6. Click on the Owner tab
   7. In the list of Names, click on your name
   8. To take ownership, click on Replace owner on subcontainers and objects
   9. Click OK and Yes