Issues after deleting user files XP

Hello. Using XP Home 2002 SP3. While deleting non-admin user account, I selected "Delete to all". When I rebooted, my login didn't work. Safe mode restored Admin log in.

Before I do anything more.. like empty the Recycle Bin, should I restore those files? Any easy way to know if I have deleted something critical? This was a non-admin user account which was deleted. What files are safe to delete, which ones not?

Many thanks, Jerry

 

The "delete to all" was that the local files for the user or the files for all users if for all users you may have inadvertantly deleted some critical files.

When you say you booted in safe mode and that got the administrator account back was it a modified administrator account or like a clean install...hmmm actually if I recall correctly...? All XP Home users are admin accounts when they are created, you may have deleted admin related files...

System restore an option...depending on what you deleted, not sure if home has restore, could try typing

C:\windows\system32\rstrui.exe from the command prompt
Thats if its not available from the - start \ all programs \ accerssories \ system tools \ system restore and picking a date prior to the accounts deletion.

Try having a look through documents and settings all users and investigating the files in here, there may still be access to missing folders from a deleted local account via this method.

You maybe able to restore files from the recycle bin if selected and file restore...see if this is an option...

Any backups available to use, if not see if its possible to create one in case things dont improve, you'll want to be able to at least get back to where you are now should further issues occur.

G.luck guy let us know how you get on.. L8r:wave

 

On XP home (all of XP's I think, for that matter) an Admin account is created automatically when the operating system is installed - it cannot be accessed except in safe mode, which is why you have never seen it. Have you tried to create a new user account via the admin account?


Might also try downloading Service Pack 3 from Microsoft as an .exe file, and re-install it on your system.

I had an issue when cleaning up a used lappy for my dad - deleted a bunch of user files and then the thing wouldn't boot properly, and when it did finally boot no user login option was displayed.

Re-installing SP 3 took care of the issue for me . . .

Just something to try . . .

 

Necro,
Via Control Panel, User Accounts, I selected the account to change, and followed Delete this account. So the files should have been for that user only. But as it began to delete, it would hang, stating some of these were system files (which I assumed related ONLY to the user being deleted). So I clicked "Delete to all". A bad choice apparently! lol

My own (normal) admin account was not deleted, but my password was no longer valid. So via safe mode, I entered a new password. So now, all boot and log-in functions appear normal, I just didn't want to use it until I felt that everything was OK. The recycle bin was empty. So there was nothing to restore. My own (document/pic) type files appear intact, and the deleted users files are gone.. with only some invalid short cuts remaining to be cleaned.

When in safe mode, the default admin account was available, and my own was there also to easily reset. I don't know what a clean install looks like. >...you may have deleted admin related files...< Yes, at least the password.

System restore may not be required, but thanks there.

No back ups, but there will be soon. Thanks for the help.

I do have one other question. All of this is regarding a ex-GF.. who seems now to know too much re "current email" related topics, despite her no longer being here. How do I determine if she has installed a valid "sentry type" program, to mirror/monitor my computer activities at a remote location? I don't think it can be considered malware.. but not certain.

Many thanks, Jerry

 

Spad,
Thanks for the reply. Details are shared in recent reply. If anything appears wrong (beyond this point), I'll try SP3. It looks OK and functional.

Any advise on best methods to delete others user files? I do have another one to clean.. but I stopped after the first one. Best method? Backup and set restore point first? Delete only the files without warnings?

And answers to the last question in the other post, are still of interest. How do I find if a valid Sentry program has been loaded? Used remotely to monitor my emails, etc.

Many thanks, Jerry

 

Hey there,

Hmmm viscious ex G/F huh...dont know much about keyloggers or other types of "spyware" type applications. Many antivirus / malware programs may detect them, although some are good at "hiding" there activities from the user with nothing showing in the task manager...

She may just have access to your email user name and password.

My take is change your password and secret answer questions to something random that she wouldnt have a clue about... so dont use pet puppy dogs name etc or special event that you had shared she may guess this / these.

Then try creating another email account make it sound like a girly name and send yourself a love note type email...when you first talk to her again see if it can be face to face and note her disposition and see how she reacts to you...many ladies are excellent manipulators but they give away the body language or signs that they have been up to no good, see if you can spot anything untoward... safest thing cut all ties and run for the hills... if shes doing this sort of thing you dont want to be involved with her this is an indication of an untrusting soul and unless she has good reason too be that way... then there is a high probability it will continue through-out your relationship and may even be the sign of other unstable attributes...tip of the iceberg....

Of course I dont want to ruin your world, I have just finished a relationship full of subterfuge:cry on my ex ladies side of things, now not only can I sleep at night better, I am also richer for it spiritually and finacially.

Good luck guy :wave- stay away from drama theres too much of it on t.v