# Computer Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 22, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414 "2013-09-22T02:53:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/1 "2013-09-22T02:53:50Z")
Not an urgent question as I have restored everything and everything is running fine, it’s just a curiosity. What might cause this? Last night: Turn off Dell laptop as normal. This morning: Turn on, log in. My background is changed to another of Dell’s default scenes, one I have never used before. All of my cookies are cleared, I have to log in to all of the sites I use frequently (SDMB, Twitter, etc.) I have all kinds of widgets and docks that I have never used before popping up all over. My favorites have reverted to what I had about six months ago and ones that I have added recently are gone. I am especially curious about the favorites. It’s almost like it chose a restore point from the past but the widgets I have never used or even seen before. Any guesses? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/2 "2013-09-22T03:06:05Z")
Some kind of adware maybe? I’d go ahead and run AdAware, MalwareBytes and AVG and see if they turn up anything. That’s a pretty good idea anytime that much stuff on your computer changes. You’re cookies getting cleared I wouldn’t worry about too much. It happens, but the ‘widgets and docks’ bother me. Especially if by ‘widgets and docks’ you mean ‘toolbars’. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/3 "2013-09-22T03:17:43Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Some kind of adware maybe? > > I’d go ahead and run AdAware, MalwareBytes and AVG and see if they turn up anything. That’s a pretty good idea anytime that much stuff on your computer changes. You’re cookies getting cleared I wouldn’t worry about too much. It happens, but the ‘widgets and docks’ bother me. Especially if by ‘widgets and docks’ you mean ‘toolbars’. No, the widgets and docks are all part of the Windows software, I just had to right click and there was an option to hide them. They were things like a clock and a weather app (set to Sunnyvale, CA - I’m in Colorado) and some other stuff. I’m pretty certain it’s not malware, I was able to restore everything to it’s previous state and there have been no other problems. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/4 "2013-09-22T03:29:13Z")
Check the Users folder. It sounds like you’re opening a new user profile. If that’s the case, your other profile will be there under C:\Users. ---
**Author:** ![pdunderhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4bbf92/32.png) [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/5 "2013-09-22T03:38:28Z")
Hello there, first a protect yourself approach, make a copy of your vital files. Assuming a MS operating system then copy ‘My Documents’ somewhere safe, DVD, usb stick etc. Others can advise you about how to start Win 7/8 in Safe mode, ie only running Microsoft’s own programs, usually F8 during the BIOS Screen. Once you’re in safe mode a really exhaustive scan with your preferred AV prog. It may take some time… Whilst I appreciate your concerns about System Restore Points they exist for a reason. If you have access to another Internet connected device and you can use a previous restore point on your lappy then basically your problem is one of data reclamation. Recuva continues to work for me. P ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/6 "2013-09-22T03:56:22Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Check the Users folder. It sounds like you’re opening a new user profile. If that’s the case, your other profile will be there under C:\Users. This was it. I was appearing to be a new user. I wonder how that happened. I usually get the only two options as my personal account or as an Admin. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/7 "2013-09-22T04:07:26Z")
Does your admin account have a password on it? ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/8 "2013-09-22T04:14:55Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > Does your admin account have a password on it? Yes ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/669414/9 "2013-09-22T11:34:56Z")
Guessing, but would the password be the same as the other account? So might you have accidentally selected the admin account?