Windows XP reverted itself to default

[MR]

Hi, I turned on my HP laptop computer this morning only to find out these
odd things had happened:
* The wall paper on the desktop was a HP default & not the one that I had
prior.
* There was no documents in "My Doc" folder-just 3 default ones
* There was no pictures in "My pictures" folder-just 2-3 default ones.

There was, however, all the programs we have in the "program files" area.
I restored the computer to like 3 days ago-
After the reboot, the screen stated that the restore point could not be
completed. So I did it again and this time, used one week ago. AND that DID
work!!! Luckliy I had several restore points to choose from....

My question is this: How could this have happened from one day to the next?
I dont think that I had ever experienced this to any of my pc's. I am not a
tech by no means. I know just a few things here and there. And I probably am
not giving you much info but I really dont have much to give.
Windows XP home edition OEM sp2
using AVG, malwarebytes, windows firewall.
thanks in advance

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Hi, I turned on my HP laptop computer this morning only to find out these
odd things had happened:
* The wall paper on the desktop was a HP default & not the one that I had
prior.
* There was no documents in "My Doc" folder-just 3 default ones
* There was no pictures in "My pictures" folder-just 2-3 default ones.

There was, however, all the programs we have in the "program files" area.
I restored the computer to like 3 days ago-
After the reboot, the screen stated that the restore point could not be
completed. So I did it again and this time, used one week ago. AND that
DID work!!! Luckliy I had several restore points to choose from....

My question is this: How could this have happened from one day to the
next? I dont think that I had ever experienced this to any of my pc's. I
am not a tech by no means. I know just a few things here and there. And I
probably am not giving you much info but I really dont have much to give.
Windows XP home edition OEM sp2
using AVG, malwarebytes, windows firewall.
thanks in advance

Windows did not revert to default but instead of using your normal profile,
it temporarily gave you a default profile.

 

[MR]

THanks pegasus.
But any ideas aso to WHY it did that and so randomly????
Was Windows protecting itself?
I do recall 2 days before this happened, my system crashed and Blue screen
of death. It fixed itself and all was well after. SO maybe a coincidence? Or
just one of those things that cant be explained...
thanks

 

[Daave]

The most likely explanation is malware. It's hard to know without the
codes from your BSOD. Perhaps you can run Event Viewer:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic40108.html

Do you have all the lastest security patches? Did you know that security
patches for SP2 will no longer be available as of July? Which version of
AVG are you running? Does it have the lastest definitions?

 

[Twayne]

In

Windows did not revert to default but instead of using your
normal profile, it temporarily gave you a default profile.

So? Now what does he do? Typical vague response.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

In

So? Now what does he do? Typical vague response.

Read the OP's post before snapping back. He solved his own problem. If you
think you can contribute something productive then you might tell him *why*
it happened.