how to access my documents of windows xp in vista?

billmilt,
Also - my account name and password are the same with all three.
Vic

Even though you are using the same username on both installs of windows, because they are different versions it is the same as having 2 computers. When the username was created on each system they where given unique id's and we might read the same name but the computer sees them as 2 different names.

Change your account security in XP and don't have your documents private anymore. There really is no way around it. If you try and change ownership of the files you will lose the privacy anyway. The only other thing I could think to try would be to add user permissions in XP to the folder and when you add who can access the file type the name of the computer as if it where a share I.E. "Vistacomputer/Username" I don't know if this will work but you can try it. I hope that helps.

as sugested, that make private setting is bad news if you want access to your documents from anything at all unusual. if you reinstall windows you will also loose access to that folder. you need to change the permisions on it. I think the make private option turns off administrator access but I think the admin still has enough access to change the owner and/or permisions. preferably backup your files incase something goes tereably wrong (shouldn't get that bad) and try things like taking ownership from vista (owner tab on the security properties)

Folks,
As long as "both" computers are in the same Workgroup, the same username and password will give cross-OS access.

I am actually running a dual-boot Vista-XP Pro computer on my workbench and this is how I solved the same problem.

If you have duplicated what 'billmilt' is doing and my suggestion doesn't work for you, please post the details on your actual experience -- as opposed to your theory.

Vic

@Younghv

He is not running 2 computers. it's 1 computer with 2 os's on it. he can make as many shares as he wants but the vista system will not see them because XP is not "ON" like a separate system would be.

Please read the question completely before attacking anyone.

debugitbob,

As I mentioned, I am actually running a dual-boot Vista-XP Pro computer on my work bench. I've been playing with it since last July; through three iterations of Vista.
The old rules with XP just do not apply when you're working with Vista.
The changes made to systems, partitions, and access are extremely confusing.

The 'share' solution I described allows me to access any file in it, regardless of how the bench computer is booted, it allows access from either Vista or XP, and it allows access from the other XP computer -- regardless of which OS the bench computer is running.

Give it a try sometime and you'll see what I mean.

BTW, when someone uses quotes (" ") around a word (e.g., "both" computers), that should be interpreted to mean that the usage of the word is extraordinary.

Vic

What i did, was reformated the entire HD (seeing that Dell computers come partitioned and you can't change partition the drive again without buying 3rd party software), then loaded WinXP on a new partition and Vista on another partition.  When i boot up i am given the option to load either OS.  Within Vista I am able to see the drive (partition) that WinXP is located and can access all of the folders/files that are associated with WinXP.