Hi
You didn't need to pay for backup. Its simply a Windows configuration.
Here's how to override it: Take Ownership of the file/folder as described below.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421
HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;308418
Note: If you cannot see the "Security" tab, then you will have to go to Explorer>Tools>Folder Options>View and untick "Simple File Sharing", apply and now you should get that tab in XP Pro!
For XP Home, you will have to boot into SafeMode and login as "Administrator" to access the "Security" tab, because in XP Home this tab will not be visible to standard users.
---------------
On a side note, you should always maintain a backup elsewhere. Use something like
XXClone and it will "clone" your HDD onto another partition or HDD to have another fully bootable OS if teh first fails.