program files missing

Hi hoping somebody can help me out as i am at the end of my wits !!

i am running win 98 ( well trying to !! )
only reinstalled about 2 weeks ago

started computer earlier this week to get this error message
"the item 'OSA9EXE' that this shortcut refer to has been changed or moved " etc

i know this file has something to do with Microsoft office, but my problem is much bigger than this alone.


it seems most of my program files are also now missing !!!! ?????

any ideas
1) on where the files have gone and / or how i might be able to get my files back ( i am really hoping !! )
2) what has caused this to happen. (spyware, virus ? ) have run virus checker with nothing found ?
3) what i can do to stop it happening again.

any help would be much appreciated

thanks

mcm72

 

It might be worth taking a look at this article

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/254864