Add/Remove programs, OMG what have I done?! (winxp home)

[Guest]

I was deleting some old programs that I no longer use, and I came across one
that I think said something to the effect of peer to peer. I thought it was
for one of those p2p programs, but when I removed it, nearly everything from
my desktop disappeared, all my folders from the start menu were gone, my
desktop wallpaper, files that were in folders on the desktop, some of the
existing folders that were already on the desktop, including a CD/DVD burning
program that I installed a month ago when I bought a new CD/DVD Drive, all of
it gone. None of the files/folders were in any way related to the known
programs that I removed. And of course, system restore was NOT turned on. I
tried to see if there was any way to find a list of recently removed programs
but couldn't find anything. Through researching the newsgroups I was at
least able to bring back my accessories and games, but what program could I
have uninstalled that would have removed everything?! All usual
files/folders that are normally available through explorer are still there.
Is there any way to get it all back? Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!

 

[Guest]

Is there anyone out there who can assist me with this?
Sondheimfreak

 

[Frank]

Their are no winxp programs that you could delete that would cause this,
that I have ever heard about. did you have any 3rd party programs installed,
like for file sharing, desktop tools, etc stuff like that. If you used the
add/remove programs applet to remove the programs you deleted (I hope you
did) then their is nothing but 3rd party stuff that could cause something
similar to this. And also, your description is a bit vague. are programs
missing (exe.'s)? Are windows icons missing, like network neighborhood, IE
?It almost sounds like you removed your profile which is stored in the
Document and settings folder on the C; drive. But still, this would not
remove files the way you describe. Have you tried logging off, not shutting
down , logging off and logging on with the administrator account? I mean
"administrator", not someone with administrator privs.
Frank L

 

[Guest]

Hi Frank,

Thanks for responding. I did indeed use the add/remove program applet.
There are indeed programs now missing, for example the software that came
with the DVD burner I bought about 2 mos ago. Also I had folders on the
desktop that included files but are now empty with the exception of 1 file,
called 'thumbs', and it's a database file. Most of the other folders and
shortcuts are gone. When I click on the 'start' and go to 'all programs',
the few that are left (accessories, startup, games, administrator tools) are
all empty. I was able to find somewhere here in the newsgroups a link to a
program which brought back most of the programs under accessories, and games,
but then my partner (without my knowledge) tried to do a system restore, and
now I have no idea where that was. I think I may have inadvertantly deleted
the administrator (me) because I get no other option upon logging off and
then back on like you described. If it's stored locally on the C drive, how
do I restore it? I appreciate you taking the time out to respond!