[RayGunn]

On November 1, 2010, I posted a thread about Windows updates "killing" my Win XP computer.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-talk/120642-ms-updates-%93killed%94-my-computer.html

Since my computer was running a newly cloned hard disk, a tech solved the problem by re-cloning the hard disk. After that, no problems until...

On Monday morning, March 7, I used a backup copy of a database file to recover one record I accidentally deleted. After that, I ran ATF Cleaner, then rebooted my computer. The result...

My computer rebooted with the original background screen, all Windows desktop shortcuts are gone, and the configurations for most of my programs are gone. After spending the next few days running MS Essentials, MalwareBytes, and diagnostics, no infections were found and nothing appears to be a problem with any programs. I am just missing all configurations.

The tech I took my computer to yesterday tells me ATF Cleaner will not delete configuration files.

I am now making new shortcuts for the desktop and re-configuring everything, with the exception of being unable to make a desktop shortcut for Windows Explorer, so I only have two questions:
1. How do I make a shortcut for Windows Explorer?
2. Any ideas as to what deleted the configuration files?

Thank you,
RayGunn

[Parallax]

You should be able to right-click the desktop, select new>shortcut, and type the "Location of the item" as "C:\Windows\Explorer.exe"
The other way is to go to the Windows directory, right-click on Explorer, and choose Send to>Desktop.

[Fl_Gulfer]

If I were you I would do a clean install of either a new copy of XP or Win 7 pro.
Never use any type of Cleaner or any software the does any cleaning to your registry.
The only way to delete the file would be in safe mode would be my guess.

[K57XR]

It sounds more like you booted up as a new user account. If this is the case then your “old account” with your entire configuration should still be there….unless ATF somehow deleted that profile too. You can check user accounts and see how many are listed just to be sure.

[Coeurdechene]

Never use any type of Cleaner or any software the does any cleaning to your registry.

That's a sound idea.

I would do a clean install of either a new copy of XP

That's a reasonable sugestion.

And a solution to your worries would be to install Pclinuxos, ubuntu or any other user friendly distro...no more malware worries, software from checked repositories with no surprises in them...
(Unless you need software that is only in windows in wich case you should adopt some security practises to prevent malware from infecting your computer, but no way to prevent windows from being some incredible bastards (A computer here at home gets its bootloader f***ed each time we start Windows, after that it won't boot linux unless you fix some things...)

In any case i wish you luck and patience.

[RayGunn]

You should be able to right-click the desktop, select new>shortcut, and type the "Location of the item" as "C:\Windows\Explorer.exe"

Thank you, Parallax; the above worked perfectly.
(I previously used right-click, "Create Shortcut",
which I thought did not work.)
After creating the shortcut per your suggestion,
I found the others in the "Accessories" folder.
I have often wondered why Windows Explorer
is considered an accessory.
RayGunn

[RayGunn]

If I were you I would do a clean install of either a new copy of XP or Win 7 pro.
Never use any type of Cleaner or any software the does any cleaning to your registry.
The only way to delete the file would be in safe mode would be my guess.

Thanks, Fl Gulfer...
I will use Win 7 when I get a new computer.
ATF Cleaner was set to delete temp files only.
I have no file to delete as everything is there, but "new, clean", LOL.
RayGunn

[RayGunn]

It sounds more like you booted up as a new user account. If this is the case then your “old account” with your entire configuration should still be there….unless ATF somehow deleted that profile too. You can check user accounts and see how many are listed just to be sure.

Jeez, K57XR, that's EXACTLY what the tech believes, also.
BUT... he could only find the users Administrator and myself.
That's part of what is so puzzling.
Thanks, K57XR.
RayGunn

[RayGunn]

(Unless you need software that is only in windows in wich case you should adopt some security practises to prevent malware from infecting your computer, ...
In any case i wish you luck and patience.

Thank you, Coeurdechene.
I am using security practises to prevent malware from infecting my computer.
In fact, three iterations, each, of Microsoft Essentials and MalwareBytes found nothing.
All the operating system and windows programs are "clean" as though they were just installed.
RayGunn

[RayGunn]

I found a new tech here in Reno.
He spent about five minutes examining my laptop this morning.
His diagnosis, based on his examination and talking to me for
about another five minutes:
I had installed a program called U3Uninstaller and used it to delete
the U3 program from a couple of Sandisk thumb drives.
If this program does not work EXACTLY as it should, it evidently
messes with the Registry.

Results on my laptop:
Microsoft programs, such as Word, Excel, OneNote, are gone.
My Sunbird calendars are gone.
The registry entry containing the key for my Alpha Five database
program is gone, rendering the program unusable.
There's more damage, but that's the major items.

My laptop will be gone until late next week, as this new (to me)
tech will have it in his shop to "repair" the damage.

RayGunn