Windows XP problem

[supershenlon]

Last night, i went to stay the night at a friends house, and left my PC on, downloading something. I doubt it could be the download itself, but when i came back this evening, my connection had been cut, so i restarted my PC. Upon restarting i received a whole lot of error messages, and basically, all my windows applications and windows configurations had reset. I've tried a system restore 3 times, but it doesnt seem to work :/. Im running XP Home with SP2 installed, Athlon 1900XP+ @~1.6ghz, GeForce FX 5200 128, 512MB DDR RAM, 2 hard drives, 18GB Seagate, and 118GB Maxtor. How can i fix my problem?

[Paul Komski]

all my windows applications and windows configurations had resetHad reset to what exactly?

Scan for viruses and malware and possibly try a System Restore from Safe Mode. What has been happening when you have tried a Restore and are there any Restore Points to Go Back to.

After you have scanned for viruses etc you could try repairing WinXP if you have an installation CD.

[supershenlon]

Theres too much at stake if i try a repair. Also, i dont have the windows xp disc, as it came pre-installed :/.
Everything had reset to its default value.
Before this problem, i only had my username in the doucments and settings. Now there is another, which is being used, which is the prob;em for me at the moment. Instead of using my main account with all my correct settings and what not, its using this branch user account, which doesnt even appear in the user accounts list, or in the log in selection. All my files are intact in my original account, but how with this branch account, all my decktop items that were previously there, no longer exist, same with my Start Menu programs, yet they all exist in my original main account username folder under Documents and Settings.

[Paul Komski]

Have you tried logging off and then loggin in again under your own name. If, after logging off you don't get presented with any choices, press CTRL + ALT + DEL which should then bring up a dialog box for you to enter the details into.

[supershenlon]

It didnt work, as my PC has no password or anything on its main account since im the only one that uses this PC :/

[deddard]

You can try logging in as the administrator.
Boot into safe mode and you should find an account called administrator - this is a hidden account, which doesn't show under normal settings.
back up all the data you think is important, disable the system restore and run stinger, hijackthis, adaware and spybot - if there's a new account created, this could well be the symptoms of hacking (had it myself a couple of years back)

post back and let us know how you get on.

[Paul Komski]

as my PC has no password
Just type in your own login name or the name "Administrator" as suggested and leave the password field blank (since no passwords were set). This isn't a PC setting - its a user setting to have you logged on as someone. I was trying to ensure you were the correct person logged-on.

[supershenlon]

it didnt work ;_;

[Paul Komski]

What specifically didn't work please?

And have you tried a system restore in safe mode?

And what is the exact name of the newly created branch user account?

[supershenlon]

the ctrl alt del thing at the login screen. It logged me in as this new weird "ghost" account that im experiencing.as for system restore, how do i do that? Also, my PC now crashes while booting up my PC safe mode :/
My original admin account (the only account) on my PC was entitled "Sam". Now theres a Sam.MYROOMPC folder in documents and settings :/. I was going to format and reinstall xp again on my C drive, but wasnt sure about it. Now this problem has occured, i may just do it anyways, since i have nothing to lose apart from a tad bit of space. Also, if i format C:, is it neccessary to format my 2nd drive, E: or is it just recommended that i do?

[Paul Komski]

Running out of ideas but you could try using TweakUI for XP (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx) to change the logon settings; eg autologon and enter sam as the user name to use.

Also, i dont have the windows xp disc

Without the disk how are you going to reinstall? because if you are using a proprietary restore CD (such as a compaq) you wont have the same options available to you as to how to restore things.

It's never mandatory to format or delete partitions prior to a new installation of WinXP but it is recommended when trying to clear up garbage or to help to ensure it has been got rid of.

Is E a second partition or a second physical drive? It shouldnt be touched if it is a physical drive (unless you decide to format the wrong partition) and if it is a logical drive (or second partition) then just be wary of things like fdisk which will delete all the partitions on a physical drive.