Please help. This is pretty bad

Kittay · 11-13-2006, 04:19 AM

In another topic here just recently, someone told me how to 'tweak' this 'Autologon' tool to working. So I did that, and rebooted...
Ok, so basically, everything's gone and it seems it is back to the state of when it was when the pc was bought... The desktop changed, Firefox has lost ALL data (history, favourites, etc etc), and probably all of my programs and now back to like when they first were installed. The icons on the desktop are still there, but kind of messed up. Some of the programs there were to open certain files with are gone, aswell. And some icons I haven't seen for ages appeared in the taskbar, like the sound manager and a desktop size manager.

The weird thing is that the disk space left on C drive is still the same as before, and all the files in My Documents, etc are still there. I do not understand why it is like this.

I went into 'start/run' then typed regedit and all of these things came up. I followed the instructions and everything, then rebooted... now I am here. The only thing that turned out well was that it did.. autologon. But there were a whole lot of consequences that came with it :(

Will going back into regedit and undoing the change I made help? I don't want to do anything at all until I hear from you guys. And I seriously doubt it's a matter of malware, etc. It just couldn't be that, so I don't see the use of posting a hijackthis (I shoudl do one anyway).

Is there ANY way I will be able to restore everything back to their original states (meaning, an hour ago?)?

Gary, I know you were trying to help, but this turned into a nightmare :/
I need help ASAP. This is pretty messed up.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks for reading.

PS Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 has even installed itself again... I guess this could be some sort of inside joke with us by now, Gary :/ But I can't laugh yet!

Thanks again.

Geekgirl · 11-13-2006, 04:24 AM

You might try System Restore

Kittay · 11-13-2006, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geekgirl

You might try System Restore

Will that make everything go back to what it was like about an hour ago?
And how do I get there?

Geekgirl · 11-13-2006, 04:44 AM

As long a it was enabled you may be able to take it back even further.

Start/ Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore

Kittay · 11-13-2006, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geekgirl

As long a it was enabled you may be able to take it back even further.

Start/ Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore

Ok, I did it... THANK. YOU.!
That's two topics now that I said alot in but the solutions were easy.
But just to make sure... EVERYTHING is back to what it was like one day ago?

Geekgirl · 11-13-2006, 04:52 AM

As long as you chose a point to the day before your issue occurred then yes it should be ok, if it was a good Restore Point.

Kittay · 11-13-2006, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geekgirl

As long as you chose a point to the day before your issue occurred then yes it should be ok, if it was a good Restore Point.

This is quite the relief. I set it back just one day, and I'm lucky I had in enabled. I'd hug you, but you know...
I like these machines again.

Geekgirl · 11-13-2006, 03:40 PM

I got the hug, thanks

Glad you got it worked out, all computers are not wicked

**OldGrayGary** · 11-16-2006, 01:40 AM

Hi Kittay (& Hi GeekGirl)

Looks like I missed this adventure: glad you got it working OK.

Was it just after trying to use the SysInternals Autologon tool that you had the trouble (that tool is only meant for Windows NT/2000/XP)? Or was it when you tried to add the Autologon Registry "tweak"? (which is *supposed* to work on Win9x/Me)?

It sounds like it ended up creating a different user profile somehow - that's why your data was all there, but the shortcuts to them in the new profile weren't. It could have been a combination effect of trying to install/run the Win2k Autologons tool, followed by the Registry edit.

If I have a little time when I'm more awake tomorrow, I'll look around to see if that Registry tweak has been known to cause trouble in user profiles. [I didn't see anything at first glance, but it looks like I won't be recommending it anymore, evidently :) ]

System Restore is pretty handy, huh!

It's late here - this old tech is off to sleep.
. . . Gary

Kittay · 11-17-2006, 05:53 AM

You're too kind, Gary! I don't know why you take time out of your own day (even if little) to help others, but I'm not complaining =P

11-13-2006, 04:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kittay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 75 OS: WinMe/WinXP	Please help. This is pretty bad In another topic here just recently, someone told me how to 'tweak' this 'Autologon' tool to working. So I did that, and rebooted... Ok, so basically, everything's gone and it seems it is back to the state of when it was when the pc was bought... The desktop changed, Firefox has lost ALL data (history, favourites, etc etc), and probably all of my programs and now back to like when they first were installed. The icons on the desktop are still there, but kind of messed up. Some of the programs there were to open certain files with are gone, aswell. And some icons I haven't seen for ages appeared in the taskbar, like the sound manager and a desktop size manager. The weird thing is that the disk space left on C drive is still the same as before, and all the files in My Documents, etc are still there. I do not understand why it is like this. I went into 'start/run' then typed regedit and all of these things came up. I followed the instructions and everything, then rebooted... now I am here. The only thing that turned out well was that it did.. autologon. But there were a whole lot of consequences that came with it :( Will going back into regedit and undoing the change I made help? I don't want to do anything at all until I hear from you guys. And I seriously doubt it's a matter of malware, etc. It just couldn't be that, so I don't see the use of posting a hijackthis (I shoudl do one anyway). Is there ANY way I will be able to restore everything back to their original states (meaning, an hour ago?)? Gary, I know you were trying to help, but this turned into a nightmare :/ I need help ASAP. This is pretty messed up. Any help is appreciated. Thanks for reading. PS Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 has even installed itself again... I guess this could be some sort of inside joke with us by now, Gary :/ But I can't laugh yet! Thanks again. Last edited by Kittay; 11-13-2006 at 04:33 AM. Reason: Grammar/panic

11-13-2006, 04:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	You might try System Restore __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

11-13-2006, 04:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	As long a it was enabled you may be able to take it back even further. Start/ Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

11-13-2006, 04:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	As long as you chose a point to the day before your issue occurred then yes it should be ok, if it was a good Restore Point. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

11-13-2006, 03:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	I got the hug, thanks Glad you got it worked out, all computers are not wicked __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

11-16-2006, 01:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Hi Kittay (& Hi GeekGirl) Looks like I missed this adventure: glad you got it working OK. Was it just after trying to use the SysInternals Autologon tool that you had the trouble (that tool is only meant for Windows NT/2000/XP)? Or was it when you tried to add the Autologon Registry "tweak"? (which is supposed to work on Win9x/Me)? It sounds like it ended up creating a different user profile somehow - that's why your data was all there, but the shortcuts to them in the new profile weren't. It could have been a combination effect of trying to install/run the Win2k Autologons tool, followed by the Registry edit. If I have a little time when I'm more awake tomorrow, I'll look around to see if that Registry tweak has been known to cause trouble in user profiles. [I didn't see anything at first glance, but it looks like I won't be recommending it anymore, evidently :) ] System Restore is pretty handy, huh! It's late here - this old tech is off to sleep. . . . Gary __________________

11-17-2006, 05:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Kittay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 75 OS: WinMe/WinXP	You're too kind, Gary! I don't know why you take time out of your own day (even if little) to help others, but I'm not complaining =P