Malware removal killed the user profile

Hi, ALL,
I got referred here by Kestrel13! in this thread.
I downloaded OTR, copy'n'pasted the text referenced and then hit the big button.

After that the system become somewhat frozen. This laptop has Windows XP what happened was I was able to move the mouse cursor, I was able to minimize the windows to the task bar, but the keyboard was not responsive and trying to bring the window to the top failed.

After reboot, I received a message that the user profile got damaged and it will be recreated.

The system booted up fine. I can still see the profile, but everything is gone. No desktop wallpaper, no desktop icons, no favorites anywhere.

So now my question is: how do I get this profile back?

I am currently backing up the "My Documents" and "Desktop" folder of that laptop.

I also got referred to the profile restoration link in the last response, but not sure what I should do.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

What's "OTR" ? Over The Rainbow ?
Click on the Start Button >> All Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Restore System Files and Settings. What does it show?

 

Ups... Sorry that was otm.exe by the Old Timer.
Clicking on the "System Restore" and hitting "Next" brings up the "Select a Restore Point" wizard page.
I'm able to select January 6 - it has a restore point.

So, I will wait for the data backup and then select this restore point, right? Thats the date I started cleaning procedure.

Or I should use later date? I have January 8, 9, 10 and 11 available...

Thank you.

 

Please go to this web page and follow the instructions for restoring/fixing your user profile. Note that it's the same one that you were previously directed toward. Use the latest restore point first, then we can work backwards if needed so as to minimize the chances of reinfection.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/wi...ecover-a-damaged-windows-xp-user-profile/769/

 

I'm certain that you have more experience using Junkware Removal Took and RougeKiller and are therefore more familiar with potential deleterious "side effects" of these two utilities. I think it's a moot point in any case. Malware removal clearly has it's inherent risks,and as such, it didn't even occur to me to blame anyone for the data corruption (other than the OP for having been careless enough to acquire the infection in the first place).

 

Sorry, I totally missed the whole title thing...... :-o

 

ONEEYEMAN, did you fix your profile? If not, you should go to the following web article about restoring your personal profile.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/wi...ecover-a-damaged-windows-xp-user-profile/769/