[Smart HDD virus?]

actually looks like I may have a corrupt profile as well from reading some other search topics...

[Smart HDD virus?]

Hello, I use XP and have used Malware Bytes as my main virus scan software for some time. Aside from some minimal virus issues have been fine.

Last night before I shut down the Malware Byes updated automatically, which it usually doesn't do...it usually would do it at start up. I shut the computer down not thinking anything. This morning I started up and my entire desktop, settings, My Documents and start menu are all wiped out, and I cannot access "Accessories" to try a system restore. All of the desktop and My Documents files are still in tact on the hard drive, and backed up elsewhere, but I cannot see the files on the Desktop or My Documents folder.

Also when starting up a Windows Security window popped up, which it never does.

I was trying to find out why this would just wipe all of my settings and came across some forum posts about the Smart HDD virus...symptoms are very similar to what I haave here.

Any suggestions on this would be much appreciated, thank you.