Nick-T

Right, I'm shit with computers and am having a serious issue at the moment.

I've been away working for a few days so not used my computer. I've now come home, turned on laptop and logged in through the password bit for windows as normal. However, rather than my user account opening, it seems to have restored factory settings.
All programs are gone, all settings, every single file, song, picture, video that I've saved over the last few years is all gone.

It's like a new computer with nothing on it. However, if I click properties in the My Computer bit, it said first that it had 300mb of free space, which was impossible as I know there was a lot more space than that. Then I restarted it, same again except this time it said there was 3gb of free space.

Have I lost everything or has it somehow logged me into the wrong account?

I've been sat restarting it repeatedly in the hope it'll sart again properly, but I don't know. Any suggestions?

Someone help, cos I'm having a panic as I haven't backed anything up for at least 6 months and it's looking like I've lost the lot!

Dicko&Vacant

iTrader: (3)

cant you do a system restore to sometime last week? see if it brings everything back?

vroooom ptssssh

as above, thats the first port of call i'd say

Nick-T

Errrr...



How do I do that?

I really am shit with computers.

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Start > Help & Support > Undo Changes using System Restore > Restore my computer to an earlier time > pick any date in bold as that has a restore point

> Pray

SS1

iTrader: (3)

left click on start then all programs

look for accessories with your mouse icon dart

then you want system tools

bottom link is system restore

Katie

No wonder you're not on Msn!

What have you done this time

CraigN

goto my computer then the C: drive

look for a folder called documents and settings this is were all profiles (logons) are kept.

You will have Administrator maybe a default and should have your name.

if there is more than one in your name that could be your problem.

Nick-T

Thanks for everyones help so far, but it's been unsuccessful, and the whole lot has very nearly been thrown out the window.


CraigN - I just checked this and there is indeed more than one folder in there

My original folder NThomas is there, and if I open it, all my files etc are in there. However there is another folder called NThomas.NICK

I have no idea where it's appeared from though? How do I change it so the PC boots up with the other user name?

Should I just delete the new folder and see what happens?

Also, I ran the system restore and currently have it running on a restore from the 1st of Jan. Should I undo this before I do anything else, or will reloading my old user profile override this?


Thanks everyone for the help, I am massively grateful for all advice

CraigN

your profile has somehow become corrupt

so when your PC tries to load it it cannot so it creates a new one

you can still access all your ols files throught the documents and settings folder then open your old profile.

i would leave it there for now and use yoru new one.

the only reason it has created a new one is because you old one has a problem

Nick-T

Ahh right, I understand, I think.

So would best idea be to archive everything I can from the folder on to my external hard drive, then re-install windows?

or, would it be okay to again save everything to the external, then delete the old user name and simply drag the folders and files etc onto the new user name? as i dont have a clue where my boot discs and windows serial numbers etc are, or do you not need the serial number for a re-load?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really am clueless.

I owe you a beer matey

CraigN

if you copy the whole NThomas folder that will keep all your pictures videos music etc and settings for the programmes you run.

all your software is usually installed under c: programme files there could also be stuff in there.

but copying that folder to your external hard disk should back most stuff up

if the folder fails to cop then it is because you are logged in as that user. try creating another user and logging in then copying the folder.

Nick-T

Thanks Craig, you're a life saver! I'll give it a go tomorrow and see what happens.


Thanks also to everyone else that offered advice.

It is very much appreciated.