How to put my old files and folders in my new Windows installation?

[XfStef]

ok I tried numerous ways of getting my previous instalation on a newly installed copy of win 7 x64
problem is, I can't see the recovery folder when I use the repair function
when I use it under windows 7 ... an error log comes at the end of the process in which MOST of my files and settings are skipped
here's what I tried:
-different admin users
-installing a second copy of windows on a different partition and trying to run the recovery with that installation, which didn't work because win7 keeps labeling it's main partition as partition C ... so my main windows partition is labeled differently and the tool can't write the files to their initial paths
-tried a dos tool, copied all the files and folders myself to the normal paths, this didn't work because of errors
I'm not an expert, but I get along with computers, now this has deffinetely proven very difficult for me, hopefully some of you can give me another idea on how to put my old files and folders in my new windows installation.
Cheers

 

[Jonmor68]

"ok I tried numerous ways of getting my previous instalation on a newly installed copy of win 7 x64" You can't copy your old instaltion on top of the new one.
Where was this instalation, on the same pc or on another one? if on the same pc is it on another partition and still bootable? if you can boot the old partition you can use the Windows Eazy Transfer Wizard to save the files and settings and restore them to the new install, all programs would have to be reinstalled.
If you have installed on the same partition, your old instalation would be in a folder called Windows.old from which you can retrieve your data files and copy them into the appropriate directories.
You CAN NOT copy the programs across, they will have to be reinstalled.

Closing the gate after the horse has bolted, what you should have done prior to installing, was to use the Windows Eazy Transfer Wizard to save the files and settings for later restoration.

 

[Ztruker]

What do you mean by "problem is, I can't see the recovery folder when I use the repair function"?

What Recovery Folder?
Where is it located?
What Repair Function and why are you using it?

 

[gregrocker]

If you still have the bootable rescue install you made to try to get to your files, post back a screenshot of your full Disk Management drive map. Use Snipping Tool in Start Menu, attach file using paper clip in reply box.

Normally you can copy your files out of an unbootable irreparable partition using this method: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html THere are numerous other ways if this doesn't work, including free Paragon Rescue CD which can rescue entire partition or just files.

But first try to repair Win7 by booting DVD Repair console or Repair CD, running Startup Repair up to 3 separate times on the old Win7: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

If this fails, make sure WIn7 is marked active: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html then run Startup Repair again x3.

 

[XfStef]

ok thanks to everyone for the quick replies
@Ztruker I tried using the "Recover system settings or your computer" function
What I've done before formatting my old windows was make a backup of my whole C partition into one windows backup folder that is now named as my user name -PC.
This backup is now located on another partition that I kept and also on a DVD and a SD external drive.
Sorry if my previous post was a bit fuzzy.
I will try a couple of the stuff you guys told me, but if I cannot recopy everything I have, like JonMor said then I guess my question was answered