All Files on Desktop and My Documents Folder Missing after upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Internet Explorer 8

[aaron95133]

I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Internet
Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop and My
Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install with System
Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders to my
desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My Documents. I've
tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware data
recovery tools like Pandora Recovery and PC Inspector, with no luck.
My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

[DL]

That was nothing to do with either the sp or IE8, if docs are truly missing
something else went on
Presumably this Company laptop has no data backups

"aaron95133" <aaron...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:cd1537c4-eaaa-4f70...@b25g2000prb.googlegroups.com...

[Andrew E.]

Those are two major updates to the OS...Before you restart the pc after
installing you should have had a "check disk" scheduled..For now,install xp
cd,
boot pc to xp cd,at menu,press r For recovery console,select 1 for C:
Press enter for password,type: Fixboot Agree,type: CHKDSK C: /R Once its
thru,type:EXIT Let xp start,remove cd.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows Service Pack, IE upgrade,
and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via Add/Remove Programs.

If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to this post for
further instrux.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com

[Paul Randall]

I'm a little better at remembering reasons than rules. What is there about
Windows Service Packs, IE upgrades, and Windows Updates that makes System
Restore so useless or dangerous?

-Paul Randall

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23M5aHQW...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

[aaron95133]

So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to the point
where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty sure I can do
that.

> >recoverytools likePandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with no luck.

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:35:40 AM , and on a
whim, aaron95133 pounded out on the keyboard:

Hi Aaron,

If this is a company laptop, are you on a domain? If so, could you now
be logging into a local account rather than the domain profile? Maybe
your My Documents is located on a network drive? If you have
Administrator rights, look in the Documents and Settings folder and
check the users listed. You might be able to look into each accounts My
Documents folder and see if your data is in one of them.

Report back,

Terry R.
--
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

[Jose]

Disappeared can have many interpretations.

Your recover programs are designed to recover items that have been
deleted. They are not useful to locate things that are missing.

If your file recovery programs did not discover any deleted items to
recover I would venture that the items have not been deleted but
instead are not where you think they should be or where they were
before.

If installed properly following the well documented installation
procedures, there is no reason installing SP3 or IE8 would delete user
created files. If either did, people would be screaming about it all
over the world.

SR is not the method to uninstall things or recover from an
installation that went wrong (as has been noted). SR is not useless
and dangerous if used properly. It only does what it is designed to
do. It is not a time machine.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Yes, give that (i.e., undoing the last System Restore) a whirl, please.

Which was installed first, WinXP SP3 or IE8?

WinXP SP3 was released over a year ago. Any reason in particular that you
waited so long to install it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these applications running
in the background when you installed SP3 and/or IE8?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com

aaron95133 wrote:
> So I should use System Restore to put the computer back to the point
> where IE8 and SP3 have just been installed? I'm pretty sure I can do
> that.
>

>> Never, EVER use System Restore to "undo" a Windows Service Pack, IE
>> upgrade, and/or Windows Update! Uninstall them via Add/Remove Programs.
>>
>> If you can "undo" the System Restore, do so then reply to this post for
>> further instrux.
>>

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Perhaps seeing a list of folders that System Restore does *not* monitor will
make things clearer: http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html

In the bottom section of the page, also notice that System Restore does not
monitor any executables (i.e., EXE files).

Since System Restore does *not* monitor the contents of
%windir%\SoftwareDistribution <=this folder or
%windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$ <=this folder or any executables and since
it *does* monitor DLL files, using System Restore to "undo" such updates
usually leaves Windows in a very "confused" and unreliable state (e.g., Is
SP3 and/or IE8 installed or not?).

Paul Randall wrote:
> I'm a little better at remembering reasons than rules. What is there
> about
> Windows Service Packs, IE upgrades, and Windows Updates that makes System
> Restore so useless or dangerous?
>

[aaron95133]

Hi Andrew, my IT person says he can follow your procedure, but he
doesn't see how this will recover my files. Is there a simple
explanation I pass on?

[aaron95133]

The IT person said that they don't support SP3, for what reason he
wouldn't say. Looking at the System Restore history, it looks like SP3
was installed first (KP932823-v3) and then IE8 was installed.

We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It was
probably running when the updates installed.

So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore Point just
after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

[aaron95133]

How do I know if I'm on a domain? I don't think I'm on a network
drive. All my files were always saved to the the C: drive. I have the
only profile other than the Administrator profile. I don't have admin
rights.

[Here Today]

"Terry R." <F1...@NOSPAMpobox.com> wrote in message
news:%23WLTIcb...@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

This is the way to go. I seen a computer where it appeared all personal
files, music and program settings were missing. It was assumed that
everything was gone...deleted and everyone was in a panic. After an
uncomfortable hour, it was discovered that at startup, there was an optional
version of XP that could run. Somehow the owner selected this and it became
default everytime the computer was restarted. Everything was still on the
computer and selecting the other OS at the black screen startup options
brought the computer back to the appropriate profile thus showing all the
missing files.

I do not think updating a computer will wipe out all user files. Someone is
missing something.

gene

[Jim]

Only Andrew knows what he means .

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:19:19 AM , and on a

Your "IT" person will know. If he doesn't, it's time to look for one
that WILL know.

So you're saying there are only two profile folders under Documents and
Settings? Yours and Administrator? Have your IT guy make sure you can
see hidden files and folders in Explorer and do a search for a file you
know was in your My Documents folder. Let's see what turns up.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

What "IT person" are you referring to?

> So just to be sure, I should go back to the System Restore Point just
> after IE8 was installed and then try Add/Remove?

No, at this point I only want you to see if you can "undo" the last System
Restore. Have you done so? If you have, is "Windows Internet Explorer 8"
listed in Add/Remove Programs? (Just asking for now)

> We run Symantec Endpoint Protection. It seems to be current. It was
> probably running when the updates installed.

Not good.

[aaron95133]

The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the point
where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet since I
wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.

The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who sits in
room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.

[aaron95133]

Hi Terry, well I don't hire the IT people. I take who is here. I do
have "hidden" files turned on. No documents that I know were in My
Documents showed up.

There is also an All Users profile.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please top-post your replies to my posts, Aaron. Thank you.

Repost: Undo the last System Restore now. Then tell me if "Windows Internet
Explorer 8" is listed in Add/Remove Programs.

Tell you IT person this: WinXP computers will NOT be offered any further
critical security updates nor will Windows Update website be available after
12 April 2010 until and unless SP3 is installed.

And tell your boss that your company needs a new IT person ASAP!

aaron95133 wrote:
> The last undo of the System Restore would take me back to the point
> where IE8 and SP3 were installed. I haven't done anything yet since I
> wanted to know explicitly what you were saying.
>
> The IT person "I" am referring to is the in-house guy here who sits in
> room full of equipment and swaps out hard drives, etc.
>

[aaron95133]

The last System Restore could not be undone.

[aaron95133]

I do see that the SP3 update is available under the Add/Remove control
panel.

[Paul Randall]

Thanks!

-Paul Randall

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:%23ScvOgb...@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Thursday, August 20, 2009 1:52:05 PM , and on a

>>> How do I know if I'm on a domain? I don't think I'm on a network
>>> drive. All my files were always saved to the the C: drive. I have the
>>> only profile other than the Administrator profile. I don't have admin
>>> rights.
>> Your "IT" person will know. If he doesn't, it's time to look for one
>> that WILL know.
>>
>> So you're saying there are only two profile folders under Documents and
>> Settings? Yours and Administrator? Have your IT guy make sure you can
>> see hidden files and folders in Explorer and do a search for a file you
>> know was in your My Documents folder. Let's see what turns up.
>>
>> Terry R.

>

> Hi Terry, well I don't hire the IT people. I take who is here. I do
> have "hidden" files turned on. No documents that I know were in My
> Documents showed up.
>
> There is also an All Users profile.

You want hidden files and folders unchecked. Just as a check, can you
paste in the contents of your boot.ini file located in the root (C:\)?

[aaron95133]

I cannot find the boot.ini file. I don't have check boxes in my view
for Hidden Files. I have Radio Buttons. The Radio Button for Show
Hidden Files is clicked.

[Jose]

On Aug 19, 7:45 pm, aaron95133 <aaron95...@gmail.com> wrote:

Every user on the system will have a My Documents folder.

My computer doesn't have a My Documents folder on the desktop either.
I don't use it, but Windows gives everybody one. Right click the
desktop, Properties, Desktop, Customize Desktop - if I tick My
Documents, OK, there it is!

If you are using Explorer, unexpand (click the minus sign) on, expand
My Computer, then the C drive (if that is where you think your files
are supposed to be).

Expand Documents and Settings, there will be a folder for every user.

Expand the one that belongs to you to see the folders Windows creates
for every user, then expand your My Documents folder.

Look around there to see if you can locate the files.

If not, back up a step or two and check the My Documents for every
user until you find what you need. Who's folder has your documents?

If you know part or all the name of the folder or file (e.g.
aaron.doc, *aaron*, etc.), search for it with Start, Search.

Find the stuff first, then you can fix it, or back it up somewhere -
if things are not too messed up! The stuff is probably not gone, you
just don't know where it is anymore.

If you feel compelled to locate the boot.ini file for some reason, you
need to check Show hidden files and folders AND uncheck Hide file
extensions for know file types (or you will just find a file called
boot).

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Is "Windows Internet Explorer 8" also listed in Add/Remove Programs?

IE Help | About: What version is displayed here?

[aaron95133]

No IE8 is not listed. The last System Restore could not be undone. I
can probably restore to the point where I had just installed IE8.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Do NOT use System Restore yet!

1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time protections
afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea Timer &
SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and (d)
enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).

2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

3. IMMEDIATELY go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM &
scan:

a. Uncheck SP3 and IE8, then "hide" them.

b. install any critical security updates offered; follow all prompts.

4. How are things now?

[aaron95133]

I did all these steps without any problems. But no files have
reappeared.

On Aug 21, 3:04 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Do NOT use System Restore yet!
>
> 1. Disable (a) your anti-virus application, (b) any real-time protections
> afforded by an installed anti-spyware application (e.g., Spybot Tea Timer &
> SDHelper; Ad-Aware Ad-Watch), (c) third-party firewall (if any) and (d)
> enable the Windows Firewall (if necessary).
>
> 2. Now uninstall WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot TWICE!
>
>    How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
>    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
>

> 3. IMMEDIATELY go tohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM &

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Were you able to & did you complete Steps 3a, 3b, and 3c in my previous
reply?

Can you tell me when (approx. date) SP3 was installed, Aaron?

[Sergey Vasilenkov]

On 20 авг, 03:45, aaron95133 <aaron95...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Internet
> Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop and My
> Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install with System
> Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders to my
> desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My Documents. I've

> tried looking for missing and deleted files with freewaredatarecoverytools like PandoraRecoveryand PC Inspector, with no luck.

> My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

You can also try to recover your files with Easy Drive Data Recovery
software:

http://www.munsoft.com/EasyDriveDataRecovery/

It uses unique modern algorithms to recover files that other software
either recovers incorrectly or is unable to detect.

[aaron95133]

I did complete steps 3a and 3b, but there was no step 3c listed,
unless you mean follow all prompts, which I did.

I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
everything that was labeled a security update.

I installed SP3 a week ago today, August 17.

[aaron95133]

Hi Sergey, I tried searching with your software, but no unlisted Word
documents could be found on my drive. It's probably more a reflection
on the unrecoverability of the files than your software. Thanks for
suggesting it anyway.

[Jose]

Those undelete type tools will not help you if the files have not been
deleted in the first place. Even if they have been deleted them may
not help you.

Did you read/apply my post from Aug. 20 8:09 pm?

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

> ...there was no step 3c listed

Sorry about that.

> I unchecked IE7 (there was no update for IE8) and SP3 and installed
> everything that was labeled a security update.

Please confirm that Windows Update website offered IE7, not IE8, and that
you unchecked & hid it.

So you've uninstalled WinXP SP3: Has this restored all the "files on [your]
desktop" and My Documents folder?

Right-click on My Computer | select Properties: What Windows XP version is
displayed on the resulting General tab?

Personally, I think you "screwed the pooch" when you tried to "undo" the
installation of SP3 and/or IE8 by using System Restore and that the only way
you're going to end up with a usable & secure computer will be by formatting
the HDD and doing a clean install.

>>>> 3. IMMEDIATELY go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM

[aaron95133]

The General properties tab says MS WinXP 2002 SP2.

I can verify that it was asking to install IE7 and not IE8. I did hide
and not install IE7.

I am still missing the Desktop and My Documents files.

> >>>> 3. IMMEDIATELY go tohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select CUSTOM

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

> I can verify that it was asking to install IE7 and not IE8.

Thanks. Some others have mentioned this in the past few days, too. I
suspect something might be temporarily haywire on Microsoft's end.

> I am still missing the Desktop and My Documents files.

Backup your personal data, then do a format & clean install of Windows.
Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix this!

cf. http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Also see:

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/spyware/prevent.mspx

Rogue Security Software - Microsoft Security:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/rogue.mspx

Good luck and remember: NEVER use System Restore to "undo" a security
update, Service Pack, or IE upgrade again.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Follow-up: While my recommendation to format & reinstall still stands, I
thought I'd let you know that IE8 was temporarily "pulled" from Windows
Update over the weekend. As of ~12 Noon PDT today (25 Aug-09), IE7 has been
pulled and IE8 is available/being offered again (and we suspect it's an
updated installer/version which includes many of the recent ATL security
updates but YMMV).

Speaking of today at Windows Updates:

cf. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

cf. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970653
--
~PA Bear
www.banthecheck.com

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:

[gpouser]

aaron95133 wrote:
>I upgraded my company laptop to Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Internet
>Explorer 8. When I did this, all the files on my desktop and My
>Documents folder "disappeared." I rolled back the install with System
>Restore, but this only resulted in restoring some folders to my
>desktop, but no documents. Nothing was restored to My Documents. I've
>tried looking for missing and deleted files with freeware data

>recovery tools like Pandora Recovery and PC Inspector, with no luck.

>My IT person seems at a loss. Anyone have any suggestions?

Turn of Wireless, uplug network

If on a Domain login to a local account say Administrator, this may not have
a password, if you have no account use password change utility of boot CD

uncheck the "hide" and "system files" in explorer in Tools\Folder Options

Replace UserAccountName with your own on the computer

Direct you search to folder Temp in:

C:\Documents and Settings\"UserAccountName"\Local Settings\Temp

Search with wild cards *.doc *mylostfile*.*

If found copy to C:\backup folder reboot and login to local account or domain

hope this helps, tried system restore but no files found. This problem is not
just on sp3 or IE but in general I think with some system updates

[gpouser]

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

<pst> Ur spiel chukkers broke.

[Roy Smith]

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:

Naah it's not broke, it just doesn't know how to check grammar.

--

Roy Smith
Windows XP Pro SP3