BleepingComputer.com: Cannot locate file on old hard drive

Desktop mobo died. removed hard drive and put in usb enclosure hooked to laptop.

It appears all the files are there but I cannot locate files that were 'on' the Windows XP desktop for my login. I can't even see my login.

I'm looking for an Excel file that I don't have the exact name for.

desktop was running Windows XP on a Dell XPS 600. Have gone to documents and settings but do not see the user name I usually logged into. all the other logins are there.
I have searched for excel files on the drive that the hard disk enclosure is hooked to f:, but don't find it.

Can the old hard drive be partitioned in some way? how can I get to the other partition?

The laptop that the old hard drive is connected to runs Vista, if that matters.

Thank you.

You could find out if there are other partitions by right-clicking on "my computer" and go to "manage". Once the computer management window comes up, go to "Storage", then "disk management". This will show you all of the disks connected to your computer. That being said, I have never heard of Windows XP storing user files anywhere but c:\Documents and settings\'user'.

This post has been edited by pojieps: 23 March 2011 - 11:46 AM

Hello, connect the hard drive to the laptop again and open up my computer. Highlight the drive that you want to search for and select search. Make sure that the location that you are searching is in fact the hard drive you want to check. Where it says file or folder name enter *.xls and then hit enter. A list of all excel files from that hard drive will be listed.

Thank you everyone. It turns out my user login folder was made hidden. When I added to search hidden files in the aweful vista search window i found my login directory path. Feel silly now.

Duplicate topic here as well: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic386628.html