Hi,I turned my computer on a couple of weeks ago and it had gone back to its original settings to like how I bought it,and has got rid of all my files and folders and things that I had put on the computer,I dont know what has caused this and I dont know how to get everything back so any advice would great.
It also wont let me download anything from the internet,listen to music on the internet or watch videos on the internet,one of the main things i want back is my outlook express but everytime i try and go on it i get a messege saying 'cannot start microsoft outlook'(thats when i double click my screen icon) or a box titled 'Identity Login' saying 'Select your identity name below. To add or modify an identity, click Manage Identities.' and has a white box init and below it tells me to type in a password,but this is disabled,and the there are two buttons one saying log off identities and one saying manage identities.(This is when i click start,then all programs,then outlook express).Sorry if this has gone on too long.
Thanks.

Hello, and Welcome to D-A-L.

Have you tried a System Restore? Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. Pick a date which preceeded the problem.

Post back with your results.

Hi,ive previously tried this but with no luck saldly and I cant even access system restore by the way you suggested I have to go into the control panel because nearly all the things are gone which where in start,the only thing ive got in system tools is internet explorer.

Have you tried a repair install?

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

to do this it tells me to boot my computer when i put in the windows disk in and click install indows xp i get a messege titled 'Windows Setup' and it reads:Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.

Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be recovered.

Your XP CD must be Service Pack 1, and you have SP2 installed (as you should). To persue this avenue, you'll have to remove SP2, then proceed. After the repair install, SP2 must be reinstalled. As quickly as possible.

To preclude this happening in the future (if the need arises again), you should burn a "Slip-Streamed" copy of your XP CD, which would include the SP2 files. (This presupposes that you have a CD/DVD burner on your system.)

Here's a couple of guides so you'll know what's involved if you decide to go ahead with this;

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/How...P-installation

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp

http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/u...streamer.shtml

However, I recommend you first post a HijackThis log for review by our security experts.

Follow the instructions here> HiJackThis prerequisites,

and then post your log in a new thread in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs Forum.


Post back with your decisions/further questions.

Thanks for the info but I dont really understand what all the hijack things are or how to remove sp2.

HijackThis logs are reports generated by the HijackThis utility. It reports everything that is loaded when you start your system. These logs are analyzed by people experienced with them.

SP2 is removed through Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.

If you don't feel comfortable performing any of these steps yourself, it would probably be best to either get the assistance of a computer knowledgable friend, or take the system to a reliable repair shop.