Member Avatar for ben060908

I've been working around computers for what seems like ages now..and I've never seen this kind'a problem before: the other night I shut off my computer and called it a night, the next morning I turned it on, only to find out that 'almost' everything had been restored to factory settings. Yeah yeah..I know that anything and everything about computing is not an exact science (yet), but this was new to me!! So if theres any one out there that has encountered something like this before ..please let me know if you have a solution!!! Thnx and much appreciated!!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Rik_

Dani AI

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Short summary tied to the posts: the symptom reported — “almost everything restored to factory settings” after a shutdown — is commonly caused by one of a few diagnosable conditions rather than a mysterious Windows reset. was on the right track asking about disk problems, but a fuller, ordered troubleshooting checklist helps narrow the cause quickly and safely.

Quick practical checks and actions (in order):

  • Verify whether Windows loaded a temporary profile. Check C:\Documents and Settings for a newly-created profile folder and watch for a “logged on with a temporary profile” message at logon.
  • Inspect the Event Viewer for profile and file-system errors (run eventvwr.msc). Look under Windows Logs → Application and System for User Profile Service or disk-related entries around the time of the last shutdown/startup.
  • Run a full disk repair from an elevated command prompt; schedule it if required. Typical command:
    chkdsk c: /f /r

    This may ask to run at next reboot and can take a long time on large/slow drives. Back up important files first.

If a temporary profile is confirmed

  • The usual fix is to repair the user profile registry entries. In the registry, check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList for a SID key with a .bak sibling that points to the affected profile. Back up the registry, then follow the standard .bak/RefCount/State rename-and-reset sequence (set RefCount and State to 0) and reboot. Editing the registry is risky—export keys first.

Other things to rule out

  • Look for “rollback” utilities (Deep Freeze/Faronics, Drive Vaccine, SteadyState) in Add/Remove Programs or running services; those revert to a baseline at reboot.
  • Run the HDD maker’s diagnostics and a full anti-malware scan. If BIOS/clock resets at power-off, replace the CMOS battery.

Back up data before major repairs. If the steps above are unfamiliar or the drive shows hardware errors, professional recovery/repair is recommended.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for Rik_

The first thing to do would be to check the hard drive for errors.

Member Avatar for ben060908

how do i check the hard drive for errors..???

Member Avatar for ben060908

never mind...i kep forgetting i can ggogele...lmao!!!

Member Avatar for ben060908

google+++++

Member Avatar for Rik_

I thought you had been working on PC's for ages?

Member Avatar for ben060908

ahhh...never said working ON them...i said with them....and there are still alot...ALOT of things i dont know...!!! playing games..surfing...what else...hmmm...installing hardware/software...and still learning!! but i thank you for your patience in advance..lol!!!

Member Avatar for Rik_

So, have you scanned yet?

Member Avatar for ben060908

yes ..i scanned...took the better part of an hour...!! all i got was scan finished.!! nothing about errors or choices to make..!! just finished!!

Member Avatar for Rik_

Is there any improvement in your computers condition?

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