Problem with configuration

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage (More info?)

I have a problem with my computer, and am looking for
advice.

I have Windows XP Professional, and the system has two
users - Bob and Administrator.

While working in Bob, the computer locked up, and I was
forced to turn off the machine to unlock it.

When I turned the computer back on, all of my (Bob's)
Desktop settings and configurations were changed to
something else. Everything in Administrator is OK, which
is where I am writing this message from.

I then tried to re-configure the Desktop back to the way I
had it, however, when I clicked on Apply and then OK after
making various changes, the computer either would not
accept my change, or a message appeared saying that the
machine was not set up for that change.

I cannot get into my E-mail system, as every time I re-set
it to AT&T it switches back to a Gateway page. I cannot
get into Outlook to get anything including my Address Book
and Contacts, as a message comes up saying that an error
has occurred in Outlook.

I ran Norton through the whole computer, and no viruses
were found.

I have contacted both Gateway and Microsoft, and they have
been somewhat less than helpful.

As I am somewhat ignorant of how to troubleshoot and fix
computer problems, I am at a loss as to what to do - I
jumped up and down for awhile, but that didn't seem to
help at all.

If you, or any of your associates, have any suggestions on
what caused this and/or how to get me up and running, I
would be eternally grateful.