User Account/Profile Reset Problem [XP]

Virus or M$ Updates?
Basically, the girlfriend switched off our Dell XP machine yesterday, mistakenly hitting Install Updates and Shutdown.
We turn it on this morning, log in to our main profile as normal and are shocked to see that it has now been reset.
Our desktop has changed, most of our icons are gone and many of our programs are gone. It’s pretty much like we re-installed XP from scratch (Which neither of us did)
After looking around, I can see that all our files are still there under
C:\Documents and Settings\users\rosieandjim\mydocuments
along with the shortcuts to our various appz/games/programs
So anyone able to shed some light on the problem here.
Is/was it M$ updates, or have we got a virus or something?
Answer #1
Simple dude. Go to start menu> all programs > accessories > System Tools > System Restore.
Now chose restore to a point BEFORE those updates, like 1 or 2 days before. Fire the process and after it reboot it SHOULD be perfect. If not tell me again and we do another thing more hardcore
Answer #2
Hehe, I disabled system restore ages ago.
Only ever used it once, for an uncle, on a win7 machine who mistakenly installed an AV that wasn’t particularly compatible with the OS.
I never saw the need for it. Besides that, I kind of prefer to have complete control of my system. Who knows what system restore actually does.
Anywho, fire away with the more hardcore option
Answer #3
Sounds more like you have logged into a different user account. Take a look at the top of the Start panel menu at the name.
Have a look Control panel > User accounts
Answer #4
hehe, I know the simplest option is usually the right one, but in this case I can assure you, it is the same account/profile.
Answer #5
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326688/en-us
Good luck with the hardcore version Tell us how it went
Answer #6
red_d00d replied: hehe, I know the simplest option is usually the right one, but in this case I can assure you, it is the same account/profile.
lolz – was worth a try
As ndpratas has linked you above. You will need to back up your data, and create a new profile, then delete the damged one.
These may help.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555473
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/get-it-done-recover-a-damaged-windows-xp-user-profile/5035219
Good luck