Lost my desktop as admin

I lost my desktop setting. I can't get to all my folders and programs and pictures that where on my desktop... I am close to tears! I changed my admin password (I have two admins set up) but I only really use one of them. I have done this before with no problem. I changed the password today and when I logged back in, my desktop was gone, it looked like day 1. I can't find anything, pictures/files.... I did try to troubleshoot, did restore and it didnt work so undid that restore. I did start-explore all users and at first I saw all the files... now the admin user is there still, but I can't see the files I saw that were my desktop and when I click the admin user folder it says C:/Documents and settings\Admin is not accessible access denied ???? I am freaking out I have sooo many files and 800 brand new vacation pictures not printed that I cant loose!

I looked at this link:

http://www.mrp3.com/windows-user-setting-fix-procedure.html

I do not know what to post that will help you help me, so ask me please.
I'll tell you what I know so far:

I am using windows XP with SP2.

My users are all local, not roving.

I did a search for say photoshop that was on my desktop... it comes up under C:/Documents and settings\ALL Users\Start Menu\Adobe\Photoshop

My picture program is there, when I open it, my pics aren't. I am freaking! I know that it's just gotta be all here, but how do I get to it???

I need help, please anyone... please help me. TIA!


EDIT to add:

Reading around here, I see this How to copy data from a corrupted user
profile to a new profile http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151/ Do you guys think this is what I need to do?? Assuming the profile isn't empty like it says? And if I do, will I them have to delete the old profile? Delete scares me

 

Start Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key early and often at startup, and selecting Safe Mode. Logon as "Administrator ".

Start, Run, control userpasswords2

(watch how that last word is spelled)

Make sure the box at the top is checkmarked "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer. "

Highlight your old username. In the lower box set a new password; one that you can remember easily. Do the same for the second Administrator-priviliged user you mentioned in your post above. ReMeMbEr that passwords are case sensitive.

Click Apply and OK and exit out to the Desktop. Restart the computer into normal mode and logon as yourself.

Please advise if your desktop is still missing in action. We can bring it back fairly easily and safely.

How? by creating a brand new Administrator type user. And then from Safe Mode as "Administrator" using the details of this Microsoft article: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151 to copy your old information to your brand new user name.

 

As a seperate note, let me comment on the error message "Access denied" when trying to view and copy the contents of a User profile.

By default even the local computer Administrator is not priviliged to view and manipulate the contents of another user's profile. This can be altered of course, but by default only the user can view and manipulate the files contained in their profiles. Everyone else gets an Access denied.

You need to assert ownership over the profiles to access them. The best way to do this for both XP Home and XP Pro, for both the NTFS and FAT32 filestores, is to do this in Safe Mode as Administrator.

See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;823306

 

Thanks so much! I will try this. First I will read what you posted. Its 420am so I better start tomorrow with fresh eyes though... I dont want to mess this up.

I dont understand why this happened though, do you? I was admin on the user acct that this happened to... doesn't make sense.

I am very greatful for your help and I can see I will be sticking aound here. I can get around a computer some, but this site is a wealth of info!!

 

Oh MY I am sooo happy!! It worked!!!!!!! Thanks so much!!

Still have a question though...please. When I did run command to get to users to change passwords, I saw 4 users:

1. admin
2. admin_2
3. administrator
4. Kathy

In my user accounts in my control panel, I have

1. mine (admin)
2. admin (admin)
3. Kathy (limited)
4. guest (account is off)

Why don't I have account mine in there?
Why don't they match up?
Should I leave it that way or delete one in safe mode?

And can we figure how this happened so I do not repeat the mistake when changing passwords?

Thanks soooooo much!! I love this place!