Laptop erased all documents, pictures and settings etc.

[Scubasteve800]

First of all Hello! this is my first post on pistonheads, however i have been reading the forums for a good few years, Now the problem,

Basically just turned my laptop on (it's been off for a few days) and first thing i notice is background picture is a window's background (not the lovely xkrs it was when i put the laptop to sleep the other night) and there are new icons in the toolbar at the bottom left of my screen, it looks to me like an update or similar as the icons are computer related, also all of my documents, pictures, music have all disappeared leaving me with the 'sample' folders, I know im a numpty for not backing everything up, is there any way i can have my thousands of pictures back or is this a lesson well and truly learnt any help much appreciated, Cheers Steve

[touching cloth]

Sounds like you have logged in as a different user, admin or guest etc. If it's as simple as that then don't worry all your stuff will be there still, just that the new user can't see your files or any personalisation you have done, such as desktop wallpaper etc. On the start menu you should find an option to switch user or log off - try that first.

[Scubasteve800]

Just rebooted laptop, and everything is back? how strange or is this normal?

[The_Jackal]

It probably couldnt logon properly so logged you on with a default profile.
Probably something simple like the logon service not starting properly.

[davidspooner]

Did it log on as a visitor profile?

As an aside when the family borrow my netbook and use the visitor profile, it switches to a low resolution... If I change it it does the same thing next time i log on to the visitor account. Sometimes it keeps the res when i logon to my account.

Annoying!

[mrmr96]

You probably just experienced safe mode.
however you also recognize that u have no backups. The real numpty thing to do would be to ignor this wale up cal!! Pls do some backups now!!!!

[ipsg.glf]

I use www.idrive.com - First 2GB free.