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Windows has amnesia
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methos
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posted
So... i just turned on my computer and half my settings are wiped (my homepage and favorites on IE, most of my programs in the start menu, most of my icons on the desktop, my wallpaper...) and all of the 'first time' messages are popping up. The stange thing is, most of the rest is still there. For example, the programs are still on the hard drive and in the remove programs panel (just not the start menu or desktop). Anyone have any clue what caused this?

(I'm running winXP)
 
Posts: 5931 | Location: NC | Registered: 06-13-02Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Dwight
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I'm assuming that you're logged in correctly...

Is there any chance the "System Restore" was run? If so, you can undo it by clicking Start/Run and typing in: msconfig
then click OK.

Click the System Restore tab.

I hope something here helps!

Dwight
 
Posts: 4477 | Location: Anchorage, AK | Registered: 06-05-02Reply With QuoteReport This Post
bedstor
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Either 1 of 2 things I think may have done this
1) A hard drive sector error/failure Frown due to a voltage spike?
Run Scandisk to see if this is so Roll Eyes will display a message will try to correct by isolating that area (you may get everything back? Roll Eyes) if no joy, then try running "System Restore")
2nd possibility is that you have been hijacked Mad either by a Hacker or some form of scumware Frown
Have to run a virus scan and a spyware detector to isolate this
My guess is #1 will be the more than likely culprit Frown
XP is quite hard to crash. Takes something drastic to cause a prob like yours Roll Eyes
BTW- I save my Favorites to www.linkagogo.com
I have well over a 1000+ saved there.It auto-arranges them into a personalised directory page Cool give the site a visit
If your computer goes down badly,the saved favorites are safe Smile (can access from anywhere Wink)
 
Posts: 16370 | Location: 6 miles west of Wigan UK | Registered: 06-05-02Reply With QuoteReport This Post
ivnj
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A corrupt account hybrid perhaps. In the Control Panel double click on User Accounts. Make a new account and give it an Administrator Privilage. The name of the account is not important. Log into that account. The desktop will be different and the immidiate Start Menu Shortcuts if U made any will not be there. But if U click on All Programs it should list everything.

Or double click on My Computer and type in

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs

and see if any icons are there.

ivnj
 
Posts: 2957 | Location: Chicago USA | Registered: 08-17-02Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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