Lost all user profile info now can only get to desktop on a temp screen

Started up my computer and some Windows updates ran and installed. When restarted the computer said my user profile had been lost, so it was starting in a temporary desktop. None of my icons are there, my files can't be accessed from there. The only way I can run programs is go to 'my computer' and open 'program files'. This works for most programs and files, not all. I tried creating a new user profile, got the same temp desktop screen. Everything seems to be there, but how do I get my old user profile back and programs and files so I can use them?
Is this fixable, or is Vista simply the dark forces' punishment on all of mankind?