All User Account settings lost - HELP!!!

[Guest]

I could cry.
=> After customizing my new Dell PC to my needs and of course my User
Account (let's call it "Claudia"), downloading and installing various
programs such as ZoneAlarm, AdAware, Spysweeper and Tweak UI, I restarted.
==> Then - instead of seeing my desktop settings, the system logged me in as
Adminstrator.
===> I went to Control Panel, see if I can switch user accounts, but the
user "Claudia" was not there anymore. My Documents under "Claudia" are, but
that's about it.

=>> How can I return to the previous state, logging on as "Claudia"?

Thanks for a brief feedback.

 

[Jan Alter]

Try a System Restore by going to
Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools. Click on the program and
look at when the last saved date and time is listed. If it's anything near
before your catastrophe came you might be in luck when you indicate that's
where you want the system returned.

 

[Guest]

Jan,
thanks - this worked.
Any idea what could have caused the Administrator to take over? Something to
do with the installed programs?

 

[Jan Alter]

If something was done in the Users folder a setting could get corrupted to
send both accounts you created into a default mode where only the
administrator is available.
Best thing I can offer you is to do back ups of your data if it's
important to you onto removeable media, or at least an external hdd. Stuff
like what you've gone through hits everyone at one time or other.