All Files on Desktop and My Documents Folder Missing after upgrade toWindows XP Service Pack 3 and I

[aaron95133]

I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove control
panel.

 

[Paul Randall]

Thanks!

-Paul Randall

Perhaps seeing a list of folders that System Restore does *not* monitor
will make things clearer: http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html

In the bottom section of the page, also notice that System Restore does
not monitor any executables (i.e., EXE files).

Since System Restore does *not* monitor the contents of
%windir%\SoftwareDistribution <=this folder or
%windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$ <=this folder or any executables and
since it *does* monitor DLL files, using System Restore to "undo" such
updates usually leaves Windows in a very "confused" and unreliable state
(e.g., Is SP3 and/or IE8 installed or not?).

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Thursday, August 20, 2009 1:52:05 PM , and on a
whim, aaron95133 pounded out on the keyboard:

Hi Terry, well I don't hire the IT people. I take who is here. I do
have "hidden" files turned on. No documents that I know were in My
Documents showed up.

There is also an All Users profile.

You want hidden files and folders unchecked. Just as a check, can you
paste in the contents of your boot.ini file located in the root (C:\)?


Terry R.

 

[aaron95133]

I cannot find the boot.ini file. I don't have check boxes in my view
for Hidden Files. I have Radio Buttons. The Radio Button for Show
Hidden Files is clicked.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove Programs?

IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?

 

[Jose]

I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop and My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install with System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders to my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My Documents. I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware data
recovery tools like Pandora Recovery and PC Inspector, with no luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

Every user on the system will have a My Documents folder.

My computer doesn't have a My Documents folder on the desktop either.
I don't use it, but Windows gives everybody one. Right click the
desktop, Properties, Desktop, Customize Desktop - if I tick My
Documents, OK, there it is!

If you are using Explorer, unexpand (click the minus sign) on, expand
My Computer, then the C drive (if that is where you think your files
are supposed to be).

Expand Documents and Settings, there will be a folder for every user.

Expand the one that belongs to you to see the folders Windows creates
for every user, then expand your My Documents folder.

Look around there to see if you can locate the files.

If not, back up a step or two and check the My Documents for every
user until you find what you need. Who's folder has your documents?

If you know part or all the name of the folder or file (e.g.
aaron.doc, *aaron*, etc.), search for it with Start, Search.

Find the stuff first, then you can fix it, or back it up somewhere -
if things are not too messed up! The stuff is probably not gone, you
just don't know where it is anymore.

If you feel compelled to locate the boot.ini file for some reason, you
need to check Show hidden files and folders AND uncheck Hide file
extensions for know file types (or you will just find a file called
boot).

 

[aaron95133]

No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone. I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Do NOT use System Restore yet!

1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time protections
afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea Timer &
SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and (d)
enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).

2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

3. IMMEDIATELY go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM &
scan:

a. Uncheck SP3 and IE8, then "hide" them.

b. install any critical security updates offered; follow all prompts.

4. How are things now?

No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone. I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.

Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove Programs?

IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?

I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove control
panel.

The last System Restore could not be undone.

On Aug 20, 2:09 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]> wrote:

Please top-post your replies to my posts, Aaron. Thank you.

Repost: Undo the last System Restore now. Then tell me if "Windows
Internet Explorer 8" is listed in Add/Remove Programs.

Tell you IT person this: WinXP computers will NOT be offered any
further
critical security updates nor will Windows Update website be available
after 12 April 2010 until and unless SP3 is installed.

And tell your boss that your company needs a new IT person ASAP!

aaron95133 wrote:
The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the point
where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet since I
wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.

The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who sits
in
room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.

PA Bear wrote:
What "IT person" are you referring to?

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

No, at this point I only want you to see if you can "undo" the last
System
Restore. Have you done so? If you have, is "Windows Internet
Explorer
8"
listed in Add/Remove Programs? (Just asking for now)

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It was
probably running when the updates installed.

Not good.

aaron95133 wrote:
The IT person said that they don't support SP3, for what reason he
wouldn't say. Looking at the System Restore history, it looks like
SP3
was installed first (KP932823-v3) and then IE8 was installed.

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It was
probably running when the updates installed.

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

Yes, give that (i.e., undoing the last System Restore) a whirl,
please.

Which was installed first, WinXP SP3 or IE8?

WinXP SP3 was released over a year ago. Any reason in particular
that
you
waited so long to install it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is
your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these applications
running
in the background when you installed SP3 and/or IE8?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled
when
you bought
it)?

aaron95133 wrote:
So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to the
point
where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty sure I can
do
that.

Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows Service Pack,
IE
upgrade, and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via Add/Remove
Programs.

If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to this
post
for
further instrux.

aaron95133 wrote:
I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and
Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop and My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install with
System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders to my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My
Documents.
I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware data
recoverytools likePandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with no
luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[aaron95133]

I did all these steps without any problems. But no files have
reappeared.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Were you able to & did you complete Steps 3a, 3b, and 3c in my previous
reply?

Can you tell me when (approx. date) SP3 was installed, Aaron?

I did all these steps without any problems. But no files have
reappeared.

Do NOT use System Restore yet!

1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time protections
afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea Timer
&
SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and (d)
enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).

2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

3. IMMEDIATELY go tohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM &
scan:

a. Uncheck SP3 and IE8, then "hide" them.

b. install any critical security updates offered; follow all prompts.

4. How are things now?

No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone. I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.

Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove Programs?

IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?

aaron95133 wrote:
I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove control
panel.

The last System Restore could not be undone.

On Aug 20, 2:09 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]> wrote:

Please top-post your replies to my posts, Aaron. Thank you.

Repost: Undo the last System Restore now. Then tell me if "Windows
Internet Explorer 8" is listed in Add/Remove Programs.

Tell you IT person this: WinXP computers will NOT be offered any
further
critical security updates nor will Windows Update website be
available
after 12 April 2010 until and unless SP3 is installed.

And tell your boss that your company needs a new IT person ASAP!

aaron95133 wrote:
The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the point
where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet since
I
wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.

The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who sits
in
room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.

PA Bear wrote:
What "IT person" are you referring to?

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

No, at this point I only want you to see if you can "undo" the
last
System
Restore. Have you done so? If you have, is "Windows Internet
Explorer
8"
listed in Add/Remove Programs? (Just asking for now)

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It
was
probably running when the updates installed.

Not good.

aaron95133 wrote:
The IT person said that they don't support SP3, for what reason
he
wouldn't say. Looking at the System Restore history, it looks
like
SP3
was installed first (KP932823-v3) and then IE8 was installed.

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It
was
probably running when the updates installed.

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

On Aug 20, 9:48 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Yes, give that (i.e., undoing the last System Restore) a whirl,
please.

Which was installed first, WinXP SP3 or IE8?

WinXP SP3 was released over a year ago. Any reason in particular
that
you
waited so long to install it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and
is
your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these
applications
running
in the background when you installed SP3 and/or IE8?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed
on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled
when
you bought
it)?

aaron95133 wrote:
So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to the
point
where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty sure I
can
do
that.

Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows Service
Pack,
IE
upgrade, and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via Add/Remove
Programs.

If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to this
post
for
further instrux.

aaron95133 wrote:
I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and
Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop and
My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install
with
System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders to
my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My
Documents.
I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware
data
recoverytools likePandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with no
luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Sergey Vasilenkov]

I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop and My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install with System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders to my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My Documents. I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freewaredatarecoverytools like PandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with no luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

You can also try to recover your files with Easy Drive Data Recovery
software:

http://www.munsoft.com/EasyDriveDataRecovery/

It uses unique modern algorithms to recover files that other software
either recovers incorrectly or is unable to detect.

 

[aaron95133]

I did complete steps 3a and 3b, but there was no step 3c listed,
unless you mean follow all prompts, which I did.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

I installed SP3 a week ago today, August 17.

Were you able to & did you complete Steps 3a, 3b, and 3c in my previous
reply?

Can you tell me when (approx. date) SP3 was installed, Aaron?

I did all these steps without any problems. But no files have
reappeared.

Do NOT use System Restore yet!
1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time protections
afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea Timer
&
SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and (d)
enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).
2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!
How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
3. IMMEDIATELY go tohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM &
scan:
a. Uncheck SP3 and IE8, then "hide" them.
b. install any critical security updates offered; follow all prompts.
4. How are things now?
aaron95133 wrote:
No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone. I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.
Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove Programs?
IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?
aaron95133 wrote:
I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove control
panel.
The last System Restore could not be undone.
Please top-post your replies to my posts, Aaron. Thank you.
Repost: Undo the last System Restore now. Then tell me if "Windows
Internet Explorer 8" is listed in Add/Remove Programs.
Tell you IT person this: WinXP computers will NOT be offered any
further
critical security updates nor will Windows Update website be
available
after 12 April 2010 until and unless SP3 is installed.
And tell your boss that your company needs a new IT person ASAP!
aaron95133 wrote:
The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the point
where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet since
I
wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.
The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who sits
in
room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.
PA Bear wrote:
What "IT person" are you referring to?
So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?
No, at this point I only want you to see if you can "undo" the
last
System
Restore. Have you done so? If you have, is "Windows Internet
Explorer
8"
listed in Add/Remove Programs? (Just asking for now)
We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It
was
probably running when the updates installed.
Not good.
aaron95133 wrote:
The IT person said that they don't support SP3, for what reason
he
wouldn't say. Looking at the System Restore history, it looks
like
SP3
was installed first (KP932823-v3) and then IE8 was installed.
We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It
was
probably running when the updates installed.
So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?
On Aug 20, 9:48 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Yes, give that (i.e., undoing the last System Restore) a whirl,
please.
Which was installed first, WinXP SP3 or IE8?
WinXP SP3 was released over a year ago. Any reason in particular
that
you
waited so long to install it?
What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and
is
your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these
applications
running
in the background when you installed SP3 and/or IE8?
Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed
on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled
when
you bought
it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since
2002www.banthecheck.com
aaron95133 wrote:
So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to the
point
where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty sure I
can
do
that.
Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows Service
Pack,
IE
upgrade, and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via Add/Remove
Programs.
If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to this
post
for
further instrux.
aaron95133 wrote:
I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and
Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop and
My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install
with
System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders to
my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My
Documents.
I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware
data
recoverytools likePandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with no
luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[aaron95133]

Hi Sergey, I tried searching with your software, but no unlisted Word
documents could be found on my drive. It's probably more a reflection
on the unrecoverability of the files than your software. Thanks for
suggesting it anyway.

 

[Jose]

Hi Sergey, I tried searching with your software, but no unlisted Word
documents could be found on my drive. It's probably more a reflection
on the unrecoverability of the files than your software. Thanks for
suggesting it anyway.

Those undelete type tools will not help you if the files have not been
deleted in the first place. Even if they have been deleted them may
not help you.

Did you read/apply my post from Aug. 20 8:09 pm?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

...there was no step 3c listed

Sorry about that.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

Please confirm that Windows Update website offered IE7, not IE8, and that
you unchecked & hid it.

So you've uninstalled WinXP SP3: Has this restored all the "files on [your]
desktop" and My Documents folder?

Right-click on My Computer | select Properties: What Windows XP version is
displayed on the resulting General tab?

Personally, I think you "screwed the pooch" when you tried to "undo" the
installation of SP3 and/or IE8 by using System Restore and that the only way
you're going to end up with a usable & secure computer will be by formatting
the HDD and doing a clean install.

I did complete steps 3a and 3b, but there was no step 3c listed,
unless you mean follow all prompts, which I did.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

I installed SP3 a week ago today, August 17.

Were you able to & did you complete Steps 3a, 3b, and 3c in my previous
reply?

Can you tell me when (approx. date) SP3 was installed, Aaron?

I did all these steps without any problems. But no files have
reappeared.

Do NOT use System Restore yet!

1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time
protections
afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea
Timer
&
SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and (d)
enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).

2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

3. IMMEDIATELY go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM
&
scan:

a. Uncheck SP3 and IE8, then "hide" them.

b. install any critical security updates offered; follow all prompts.

4. How are things now?

aaron95133 wrote:
No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone. I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.

Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove Programs?

IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?

aaron95133 wrote:
I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove
control
panel.

The last System Restore could not be undone.

On Aug 20, 2:09 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]> wrote:

Please top-post your replies to my posts, Aaron. Thank you.

Repost: Undo the last System Restore now. Then tell me if "Windows
Internet Explorer 8" is listed in Add/Remove Programs.

Tell you IT person this: WinXP computers will NOT be offered any
further
critical security updates nor will Windows Update website be
available
after 12 April 2010 until and unless SP3 is installed.

And tell your boss that your company needs a new IT person ASAP!

aaron95133 wrote:
The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the
point
where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet
since
I
wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.

The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who
sits
in
room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.

PA Bear wrote:
What "IT person" are you referring to?

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore
Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

No, at this point I only want you to see if you can "undo" the
last
System
Restore. Have you done so? If you have, is "Windows Internet
Explorer
8"
listed in Add/Remove Programs? (Just asking for now)

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It
was
probably running when the updates installed.

Not good.

aaron95133 wrote:
The IT person said that they don't support SP3, for what reason
he
wouldn't say. Looking at the System Restore history, it looks
like
SP3
was installed first (KP932823-v3) and then IE8 was installed.

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It
was
probably running when the updates installed.

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore
Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

On Aug 20, 9:48 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Yes, give that (i.e., undoing the last System Restore) a
whirl,
please.

Which was installed first, WinXP SP3 or IE8?

WinXP SP3 was released over a year ago. Any reason in
particular
that
you
waited so long to install it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and
is
your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other
than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these
applications
running
in the background when you installed SP3 and/or IE8?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been
installed
on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came
preinstalled
when
you bought
it)?

aaron95133 wrote:
So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to
the
point
where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty sure I
can
do
that.

Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows Service
Pack,
IE
upgrade, and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via
Add/Remove
Programs.

If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to
this
post
for
further instrux.

aaron95133 wrote:
I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3
and
Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop
and
My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install
with
System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders
to
my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My
Documents.
I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware
data
recoverytools likePandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with no
luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[aaron95133]

The General properties tab says MS WinXP 2002 SP2.

I can verify that it was asking to install IE7 and not IE8. I did hide
and not install IE7.

I am still missing the Desktop and My Documents files.

...there was no step 3c listed

Sorry about that.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

Please confirm that Windows Update website offered IE7, not IE8, and that
you unchecked & hid it.

So you've uninstalled WinXP SP3: Has this restored all the "files on [your]
desktop" and My Documents folder?

Right-click on My Computer | select Properties: What Windows XP version is
displayed on the resulting General tab?

Personally, I think you "screwed the pooch" when you tried to "undo" the
installation of SP3 and/or IE8 by using System Restore and that the only way
you're going to end up with a usable & secure computer will be by formatting
the HDD and doing a clean install.

I did complete steps 3a and 3b, but there was no step 3c listed,
unless you mean follow all prompts, which I did.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

I installed SP3 a week ago today, August 17.

Were you able to & did you complete Steps 3a, 3b, and 3c in my previous
reply?
Can you tell me when (approx. date) SP3 was installed, Aaron?
aaron95133 wrote:
I did all these steps without any problems. But no files have
reappeared.
Do NOT use System Restore yet!
1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time
protections
afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea
Timer
&
SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and (d)
enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).
2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!
How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
3. IMMEDIATELY go tohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM
&
scan:
a. Uncheck SP3 and IE8, then "hide" them.
b. install any critical security updates offered; follow all prompts..
4. How are things now?
aaron95133 wrote:
No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone. I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.
Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove Programs?
IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?
aaron95133 wrote:
I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove
control
panel.
The last System Restore could not be undone.
Please top-post your replies to my posts, Aaron. Thank you.
Repost: Undo the last System Restore now. Then tell me if "Windows
Internet Explorer 8" is listed in Add/Remove Programs.
Tell you IT person this: WinXP computers will NOT be offered any
further
critical security updates nor will Windows Update website be
available
after 12 April 2010 until and unless SP3 is installed.
And tell your boss that your company needs a new IT person ASAP!
aaron95133 wrote:
The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the
point
where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet
since
I
wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.
The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who
sits
in
room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.
PA Bear wrote:
What "IT person" are you referring to?
So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore
Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?
No, at this point I only want you to see if you can "undo" the
last
System
Restore. Have you done so? If you have, is "Windows Internet
Explorer
8"
listed in Add/Remove Programs? (Just asking for now)
We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current.It
was
probably running when the updates installed.
Not good.
aaron95133 wrote:
The IT person said that they don't support SP3, for what reason
he
wouldn't say. Looking at the System Restore history, it looks
like
SP3
was installed first (KP932823-v3) and then IE8 was installed..
We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current.It
was
probably running when the updates installed.
So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore
Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?
On Aug 20, 9:48 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Yes, give that (i.e., undoing the last System Restore) a
whirl,
please.
Which was installed first, WinXP SP3 or IE8?
WinXP SP3 was released over a year ago. Any reason in
particular
that
you
waited so long to install it?
What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and
is
your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other
than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these
applications
running
in the background when you installed SP3 and/or IE8?
Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been
installed
on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came
preinstalled
when
you bought
it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since
2002www.banthecheck.com
aaron95133 wrote:
So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to
the
point
where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty sure I
can
do
that.
Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows Service
Pack,
IE
upgrade, and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via
Add/Remove
Programs.
If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to
this
post
for
further instrux.
aaron95133 wrote:
I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3
and
Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop
and
My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install
with
System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders
to
my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My
Documents.
I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware
data
recoverytools likePandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with no
luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I can verify that it was asking to install IE7 and not IE8.

Thanks. Some others have mentioned this in the past few days, too. I
suspect something might be temporarily haywire on Microsoft's end.

I am still missing the Desktop and My Documents files.

Backup your personal data, then do a format & clean install of Windows.
Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix this!

cf. http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Also see:

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/spyware/prevent.mspx

Rogue Security Software - Microsoft Security:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/rogue.mspx

Good luck and remember: NEVER use System Restore to "undo" a security
update, Service Pack, or IE upgrade again.

The General properties tab says MS WinXP 2002 SP2.

I can verify that it was asking to install IE7 and not IE8. I did hide
and not install IE7.

I am still missing the Desktop and My Documents files.

...there was no step 3c listed

Sorry about that.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

Please confirm that Windows Update website offered IE7, not IE8, and that
you unchecked & hid it.

So you've uninstalled WinXP SP3: Has this restored all the "files on
[your]
desktop" and My Documents folder?

Right-click on My Computer | select Properties: What Windows XP version
is
displayed on the resulting General tab?

Personally, I think you "screwed the pooch" when you tried to "undo" the
installation of SP3 and/or IE8 by using System Restore and that the only
way you're going to end up with a usable & secure computer will be by
formatting the HDD and doing a clean install.

I did complete steps 3a and 3b, but there was no step 3c listed,
unless you mean follow all prompts, which I did.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

I installed SP3 a week ago today, August 17.

Were you able to & did you complete Steps 3a, 3b, and 3c in my previous
reply?

Can you tell me when (approx. date) SP3 was installed, Aaron?

aaron95133 wrote:
I did all these steps without any problems. But no files have
reappeared.

Do NOT use System Restore yet!

1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time
protections
afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea
Timer
&
SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and
(d)
enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).

2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

3. IMMEDIATELY go tohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM
&
scan:

a. Uncheck SP3 and IE8, then "hide" them.

b. install any critical security updates offered; follow all prompts.

4. How are things now?

aaron95133 wrote:
No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone. I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.

Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove
Programs?

IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?

aaron95133 wrote:
I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove
control
panel.

The last System Restore could not be undone.

On Aug 20, 2:09 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
wrote:

Please top-post your replies to my posts, Aaron. Thank you.

Repost: Undo the last System Restore now. Then tell me if
"Windows
Internet Explorer 8" is listed in Add/Remove Programs.

Tell you IT person this: WinXP computers will NOT be offered any
further
critical security updates nor will Windows Update website be
available
after 12 April 2010 until and unless SP3 is installed.

And tell your boss that your company needs a new IT person ASAP!

aaron95133 wrote:
The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the
point
where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet
since
I
wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.

The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who
sits
in
room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.

PA Bear wrote:
What "IT person" are you referring to?

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore
Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

No, at this point I only want you to see if you can "undo" the
last
System
Restore. Have you done so? If you have, is "Windows Internet
Explorer
8"
listed in Add/Remove Programs? (Just asking for now)

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current.
It
was
probably running when the updates installed.

Not good.

aaron95133 wrote:
The IT person said that they don't support SP3, for what
reason
he
wouldn't say. Looking at the System Restore history, it looks
like
SP3
was installed first (KP932823-v3) and then IE8 was installed.

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current.
It
was
probably running when the updates installed.

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore
Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

On Aug 20, 9:48 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Yes, give that (i.e., undoing the last System Restore) a
whirl,
please.

Which was installed first, WinXP SP3 or IE8?

WinXP SP3 was released over a year ago. Any reason in
particular
that
you
waited so long to install it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed
and
is
your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other
than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these
applications
running
in the background when you installed SP3 and/or IE8?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been
installed
on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came
preinstalled
when
you bought
it)?

aaron95133 wrote:
So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to
the
point
where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty sure
I
can
do
that.

Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows Service
Pack,
IE
upgrade, and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via
Add/Remove
Programs.

If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to
this
post
for
further instrux.

aaron95133 wrote:
I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3
and
Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop
and
My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install
with
System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders
to
my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My
Documents.
I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware
data
recoverytools likePandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with
no
luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any
suggestions?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Follow-up: While my recommendation to format & reinstall still stands, I
thought I'd let you know that IE8 was temporarily "pulled" from Windows
Update over the weekend. As of ~12 Noon PDT today (25 Aug-09), IE7 has been
pulled and IE8 is available/being offered again (and we suspect it's an
updated installer/version which includes many of the recent ATL security
updates but YMMV).

Speaking of today at Windows Updates:

cf. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

cf. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970653
--
~PA Bear
www.banthecheck.com

I can verify that it was asking to install IE7 and not IE8.

Thanks. Some others have mentioned this in the past few days, too. I
suspect something might be temporarily haywire on Microsoft's end.

I am still missing the Desktop and My Documents files.

Backup your personal data, then do a format & clean install of Windows.
Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix
this!

cf. http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Also see:

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/spyware/prevent.mspx

Rogue Security Software - Microsoft Security:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/rogue.mspx

Good luck and remember: NEVER use System Restore to "undo" a security
update, Service Pack, or IE upgrade again.

The General properties tab says MS WinXP 2002 SP2.

I can verify that it was asking to install IE7 and not IE8. I did hide
and not install IE7.

I am still missing the Desktop and My Documents files.

...there was no step 3c listed

Sorry about that.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

Please confirm that Windows Update website offered IE7, not IE8, and
that
you unchecked & hid it.

So you've uninstalled WinXP SP3: Has this restored all the "files on
[your]
desktop" and My Documents folder?

Right-click on My Computer | select Properties: What Windows XP version
is
displayed on the resulting General tab?

Personally, I think you "screwed the pooch" when you tried to "undo" the
installation of SP3 and/or IE8 by using System Restore and that the only
way you're going to end up with a usable & secure computer will be by
formatting the HDD and doing a clean install.

aaron95133 wrote:
I did complete steps 3a and 3b, but there was no step 3c listed,
unless you mean follow all prompts, which I did.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

I installed SP3 a week ago today, August 17.

Were you able to & did you complete Steps 3a, 3b, and 3c in my
previous
reply?

Can you tell me when (approx. date) SP3 was installed, Aaron?

aaron95133 wrote:
I did all these steps without any problems. But no files have
reappeared.

Do NOT use System Restore yet!

1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time
protections
afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea
Timer
&
SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and
(d)
enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).

2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

3. IMMEDIATELY go tohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select
CUSTOM
&
scan:

a. Uncheck SP3 and IE8, then "hide" them.

b. install any critical security updates offered; follow all
prompts.

4. How are things now?

aaron95133 wrote:
No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone.
I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.

Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove
Programs?

IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?

aaron95133 wrote:
I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove
control
panel.

The last System Restore could not be undone.

On Aug 20, 2:09 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
wrote:

Please top-post your replies to my posts, Aaron. Thank you.

Repost: Undo the last System Restore now. Then tell me if
"Windows
Internet Explorer 8" is listed in Add/Remove Programs.

Tell you IT person this: WinXP computers will NOT be offered
any
further
critical security updates nor will Windows Update website be
available
after 12 April 2010 until and unless SP3 is installed.

And tell your boss that your company needs a new IT person
ASAP!

aaron95133 wrote:
The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the
point
where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet
since
I
wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.

The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who
sits
in
room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.

PA Bear wrote:
What "IT person" are you referring to?

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore
Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

No, at this point I only want you to see if you can "undo"
the
last
System
Restore. Have you done so? If you have, is "Windows Internet
Explorer
8"
listed in Add/Remove Programs? (Just asking for now)

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current.
It
was
probably running when the updates installed.

Not good.

aaron95133 wrote:
The IT person said that they don't support SP3, for what
reason
he
wouldn't say. Looking at the System Restore history, it
looks
like
SP3
was installed first (KP932823-v3) and then IE8 was
installed.

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current.
It
was
probably running when the updates installed.

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore
Point
just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

On Aug 20, 9:48 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Yes, give that (i.e., undoing the last System Restore) a
whirl,
please.

Which was installed first, WinXP SP3 or IE8?

WinXP SP3 was released over a year ago. Any reason in
particular
that
you
waited so long to install it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed
and
is
your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other
than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these
applications
running
in the background when you installed SP3 and/or IE8?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been
installed
on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came
preinstalled
when
you bought
it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since
2002www.banthecheck.com

aaron95133 wrote:
So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to
the
point
where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty
sure
I
can
do
that.

Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows
Service
Pack,
IE
upgrade, and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via
Add/Remove
Programs.

If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to
this
post
for
further instrux.

aaron95133 wrote:
I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack
3
and
Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop
and
My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the
install
with
System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some
folders
to
my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My
Documents.
I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with
freeware
data
recoverytools likePandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with
no
luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any
suggestions?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

<pst> Ur spiel chukkers broke.

 

[Roy Smith]

<pst> Ur spiel chukkers broke.

Naah it's not broke, it just doesn't know how to check grammar.