lost all my files - user switch

[alison]

yesterday i tried to switch off the password on my user
account (the only account on the computer) and all my
files left the desktop (i keep ALL my files in folders on
my desktop). i looked and they were in the "desktop"
folder so i scooted them over to the desktop and all was
well. then i restarted and they were all gone.

i have done a few system restores which got the folders
back to their appropriate places but no files. when i run
a search all the files show up but the paths are
incorrect - either they look correct but won't open or
they say that the file is in "my computer" and won't open.

i think that this is what happened:

Windows was unable to load the registry. This is often
caused by insufficient memory or insufficient security
rights.
DETAIL - The process cannot access the file because it is
being used by another process. for C:\Documents and
Settings\al\ntuser.dat
---
Windows cannot load the locally stored profile. Possible
causes of this error include insufficient security rights
or a corrupt local profile. If this problem persists,
contact your network administrator.
DETAIL - The process cannot access the file because it is
being used by another process.
--
Windows has backed up this user's profile. Windows will
automatically try to use the backed up profile the next
time this user logs on.
--
Windows cannot find the local profile and is logging you
on with a temporary profile. Changes you make to this
profile will be lost when you log off.

but i have no idea how to fix it or where my files have
gone.

please, please help.

 

[roger]

Alison,

If you cannot get them back by System Restore, get a third-party
recovery program.

To recover deleted files:
you can try Restoration:
http://www.webattack.com/get/restoration.html
It is free

There's other utility you can try
http://www.recovermyfiles.com/


Good luck