BleepingComputer.com: HardDrive Problems

i had a system32 file error on my laptop about 3months ago...and had to re-install xp...i didn't want to lose all my files, so i created a new disk partition.
when it had finished installing, i logged on, to find all my files gone..i started to re-download/install the programs i had lost, until an error message popped up, saying there was not enough disk space...i thought this wasn't right, so looked in "my computer" to see what the HardDrive status was...i found that the original partition still had the same amount of memory being used as before the re-installation of xp.
when i tried to open my documents on the old partition, it said access denied. so i have about 15Gb of useable memory, out of my 50Gb HardDrive.
i have tried formating the old partition, but it says access denied...
is there any way i can get my memory back.
or do i have to buy and external HD?

thanks
sparrow94

<<i have tried formating the old partition, but it says access denied...>>

Means of the attempted format? You do realize that a format will wipe out everything on that partition?

As to accessing old docs in My Computer...try this from the new install: How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Louis