User Account Lost Info

[azrazorback]

My Norton AV detected a downloader trojan and MHTMLRedir.exploit on my system in the Temporary Internet Files so I cleared the files and cookies. Immediately after that, my user desktop setting were changed. Everything on the quick launch bar disappeared, many of the programs on the desktop are transparent (although they still work) and when I try to use Send To to create a desktop shortcut, it is not there. The only options are the A drive and E drive.

I can access my documents, but my favorites are gone. Under Users, there once was a user listed as Admin and another listed with my name (with admin privileges.) Now the only user is my name.

Any thoughts???

[snowmonkey]

I don't know how MHTMLRedir.exploit Trojan works since I don't have it im my archive [smirk], but on the flip side, have you tried creating a new user account and see what happens ? have you tried system restore at all or that is not an option ?

cheers

[azrazorback]

I did not have system restore enabled at the time.

I can create a new user and everything works with that. The only thing is my documents under the old user aren't there favorites aren't there.

[snowmonkey]

I don't think you could find that unless you use some sort of recovery software.


cheers

[newstuff2002]

I have Windows XP Media Center which in this case works JUST like XP Pro.... I also lost my "administrator" status and priviledges after Macaffee cleaned a recently downloaded (but Theoretically not in control) downloader trojan. The user account I always use just disapeared from the list of accounts in the control panel. I can still type it as the response to the signon prompt and it still gives me access to files and programs that I was using under that account. BUT, I can't even change the clock and adjust time. I can't repair programs or install anything because I don't have admin status. I can't delete the account or modify it because it doesn't show up under accounts, BUT, it also won't let me allocate a new account of the same name because it says it already exists.... I know how and have done the necessary security changes to give the now hidden account all the file and folder priviledges, so I can get to my files, I am just crippled and restricted from using all the stuff and shortcuts I had on the desktop . To create a new account is an option, but moving the contents of all my hundreds of libraries to new libraries under a new account name in the fully expanded path is just not practical.... I am also concerned after having been burned lately that I may have to mess with the security tabs that lock up the contents of files created in MS Office that uses the NTFS. I experienced that on another PC recently, but that was eventually fix-able....

The only good news is I had not had a password on the lost account name or I would be out of luck. Is there anywhere I can edit a file or user list to have the one I was using reapear in the list of valid accounts under "Users" in the control panel???