I think I lost my Files

[Guest]

I am running XP Pro w/SP2--I have Anti Virus software, and a router both in
place for months. Everything seemed to work fine. Over the weekend, I went
to boot up the computer, and when it booted, I noticed that the desktop was
displaying as if I booted up a brand new copy of XP. I have some of my
folders with my original files, other folders are missing.

I tried to do a system restore (twice) no luck, last known good
configuration, no dice---any suggestions, other than backing up my files
which I have not, but will from now on.

Was wondering why the system restore didn't work???

 

[Kevin]

Have you had any electrical problems? Lightning storms, power failures,
surges and so on.

 

[Guest]

No,
No power surges or lightning issues

Have you had any electrical problems? Lightning storms, power failures,
surges and so on.

 

[Galen]

In S. Smolak <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

No,
No power surges or lightning issues

"Kevin" wrote:

Well, are you loggged into the right account?

Galen
--

"And that recommendation, with the exaggerated estimate of my ability
with which he prefaced it, was, if you will believe me, Watson, the
very first thing which ever made me feel that a profession might be
made out of what had up to that time been the merest hobby."

Sherlock Holmes

 

[GTS]

This usually indicates a corrupted user profile involving registry damage.
If XP cannot load your user registry branch it will create an user tree in
"Documents and Settings' and a new user registry using Windows defaults.
There's a good chance your missing folders are still available under
"Documents and Settings\username.

See "How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile" for
some farther info.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151

In my experience, this problem is most often the result of a hard disk
problem involving a newly developed bad sector. I suggest running chkdsk
/r. Another possible cause is virus or spyware parasite infection.

Unfortunately, System Restore often fails in this situation. SR does a good
job of rolling back registry changes, but must be able to access a
functional user registry branch to do so.

 

[Guest]

Thanks GTS!
You hit the nail on the head!! I went into my explorer and expanded the C
drive and indeed there were two seperate "Document and Settings" folders One
appeared to be mispelled w/ a funny charcter between two of the letters. I
read the article you provided the link for and it was most helpful!!! Thanks
for the help, I found all my lost files!!!!! I can;t thank you enough!

 

[GTS]

You're welcome. Glad it worked out.
--

Thanks GTS!
You hit the nail on the head!! I went into my explorer and expanded the C
drive and indeed there were two seperate "Document and Settings" folders
One
appeared to be mispelled w/ a funny charcter between two of the letters.
I
read the article you provided the link for and it was most helpful!!!
Thanks
for the help, I found all my lost files!!!!! I can;t thank you enough!