>If it uses MSDE 2000, it clearly is NOT the proper repository for the application's data.

Yeah, I'd put the data for your app in another instance. I basically ignore our Sharepoint instance here.

>Now what I have to figure out is how to get to MSSQL.1 so I can attempt to restore the data there. I don't seem to be able to access that with the rights I have currently have to SSMS.

The permissions are from the OS if you are using Windows Authentication. Did you try connecting in SSMS with the SA login? You should have permissions with that if you're using mixed mode. Otherwise, tell your admin to give you rights to that folder - at least temporarily.