problems with word after computer crash

[ian-001]

My computer crashed and I had to run the recovery disc to get it to work again. It did not format my computer but I've had to re-install several programs. I have re-installed my copy of office for example.

I have an external hard drive where I keep most of my files but since installing the recovery disc it won't open some of the word documents and gives an error message "user does not have access privilges." It is the same with some pdf files. What can I do?

Please help because I can't open some of my university documents.