[Thotmas]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Sorry if it scared you, but better to be ready for disappointment. Forewarned is forearmed.

Hopefully the malware you have/had has simply changed some settings.

For XP go into windows explorer, highlight Local disk(C: ) then on the top menu click on tools, in the drop down menu click on folder options then in the box that opens click on View make sure there is a tick or dot in the box that is beside Show hidden files and folders. if you have had to put a marker in there click on apply and then ok

Hopefully that will restore your My Document files and folders back into sight.

YES! I did that last step and everything is back. Thank you so much! Though every file has something like ^$ in front of it and everything is sort of blurred. Is there a way to fix that aswell?

[Thotmas]

...uuh oh-in the start>all programs menu none of the programs are back. No basics like paint and programs I installed.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Ithinkiloveyoutoo

YES! I did that last step and everything is back. Thank you so much! Though every file has something like ^$ in front of it and everything is sort of blurred. Is there a way to fix that aswell?

It sounds like whatever infected your computer has changed those files to hidden and archived files. Or the removal process you have used has. Is the symbol ~$ file name ?

Try system restore like angus suggested if that doesnt work you may have to highlight each file and right click on it and untick the hidden boc, apply and ok. You could also try a free undelete program like Norton etc.