User security after drive fails

I had the boot sector fail on my laptop hardrive. I replaced the drive and I can get into the old drive and cleaned off all of the files on the shred directory without any problem. I hooked up the drive though a usb port, but I had my personal directory secured via the login name and pasword. I can see the directory and the filew within the directory (My Documents, My Videos,etc,) but i canot open the directories to get any files out. Doe anyone know how I could check tos ee if there is something n the My Docs folder I need?

You will need to take ownership of the directory and sub folders to access the files for copying etc.
Right click the folder and select properties and click the security tab.
Then select the Advanced button, Then click the Owner Tab.
Select the user you wish to be the new owner then tick the box replace owner on subcontainers and objects.

Close the window, then you should be able to access it ok.