IPConfig Release with baffling results

Hell, I'm new... thanks for providing the forum.

I have Windows XP on my laptop and recently switched IP's. In order to configure my wireless router in my home to communicate with the new IP modem, I worked with the tech support person on the phone. I was instructed to go into IP Config where I typed the release command... nothing unusual... however, when I restarted my laptop, most of my desktop icons were gone (namely, IE and MS Outlook, among others). After further inspection I found all of my documents, photos, and music GONE. The folders remained, but the contents were GONE. Greatly alarmed, I called tech support and told them of my problem- they said this had nothing to do with it and I must have a worm. I called the mfg. of my laptop (Toshiba) and they said the same thing. I would believe them, however, I have Norton updated every other day, AdAware on the same schedule, plus HiJackThis runs at each starting. I should be bomb-proof... but am I??? I really just want those pictures back. We just returned from our summer vacation, and I had just downloaded them. Poof- gone.... tears. Please help!

 

I have to agree with tech support and the manufacturer, bringing up a cmd prompt and releasing an IP should not have that effect. MAYBE your computer did an automated desktop cleanup. Now that will remove alot of stuff. I think it does one every 60 days by default. Have you tried doing a general windows search for these files, maybe in the recycle bin? Is it possible that you logged on with a different user account? That will change your desktop also making it appear that stuff is gone but its really not.

good luck

 

Make sure that you log as an administrator.

Download and install this program, freeCommander (it is a more comrehensive Win Explorer type), http://www.freecommander.com/index_en.htm

Sreach with free Commander, it migh be that every thing is there, and you just lost the Icons.

If so you can rebuild the Icons from freeCommander.

Otherwise, http://www.ezlan.net/infestation.html