all programs..menu gone

[madamminx]

Hi, i have a major prob, i used a system mechanic 4 prog now i have lost ALL my programme short cuts eg on start menu, programs..its empty also i cant do a system restore as there is no link to system tools etc, the system mechanic program also has vanished so i cant do us the back up either, on the propertys menu under display properties on the appearence i dont have the xp style only the windows classic style, in my computer i dont have any document folders and the add and remove program i only have a few programes on that,
C drive itself has all the programmes in it eg ALL i have installed. any help please..was told to use the xp disc i have but it is the older version without service pack2, cant uninstall sevice pack 2 as this isnt on the add remove either in fact no updates are on it.
Any help would be very greatfully appriciated.
have to use friends p.c as cant get on net with mine lol

[macko72]

Try using http://www.pcinspector.de/download.a...#file_recovery

[Statica]

To run a system restore ... Try going to START > RUN and type the following:
C:\Windows\System32\restore\rstrui.exe
If you cannot open the run dialog box, press Ctrl+Alt+Del for the task manager, then go to File .. Run .. menu
I dont know if it will solve a lot, but worth a try. You might need to do a repair install.
If your friend has a CD burner, you can create your own SP2 disk (that is if you are on a broadband connection and have some patience), or you can use your original SP2 disk. It will repair it with the original XP files, you will need to run SP2 after it.

[madamminx]

Hi all
Thanks for the help, but managed to sort prob, ran windows xp disc with service pack 2 and recovered all lost start progs and files that way,the only one that seems to be still missing is "all users" in c:/ docs and settings.
Yet when i used Nero to copy some data from docs and settings it said the file ...All users was in there, tryed un hiding files but it still did not appered, very odd p.c i have lol mind you thats only minor compared to what happened so thanks again x x x