Richard Rohrdanz wrote:

> I can see all of my data folders and program folders. When I try to
> execute a program it thinks I am a new user. None of the settings
> in my Registry are available since I am actually logged on to the
> new (erroneous) account.
>
> If I could trick Windows into letting me get into my own account I
> think everything would be back to normal.

I thought that it might be possible to find a way.
So I spent a couple of hours with my notebook running under XP (at
present I have Vista on all of my other machines) and I could suggest
the following:

0.) If not yet done, make a *full* backup of your system (just to make
all of the later changes undone).

1.) Get a file-manager application which is a bit more versatile than
the built-in "Windows Explorer" - f.e Total Commander
http://www.ghisler.com/index.htm
and/or collect some Unix-based Utility collection like Knoppix or
"BartPE" (MY favorite):
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

2.) Log in to Windows with the built-in "Administrator" account.

3.) Rename your *old* %users\Richard\ file-hierarchy (f.e to
"Richard001").
This is necessary for protecting your old file-system.
Re-boot.

4.) Logged in as an administrator
a) Delete all of the current "Richardxxxx" accounts.
b) Log out and in as "Administrator"
c) create a *new* account with your old name ("Richard", I assume).
d) Log out and log in with new account "Richard.
Let the system create the basic system of personal files for "Richard".

5.) Re-boot.
Log on with the "Administrator" account.

6.) Copy the whole of the hierarchy of your *old* (renamed in step 2)
file-hierarchy (Richard0001) to the newly created "Richard"-hierarchy.
Overwrite everything.

7.) Thereafter you should be back to your previous situation.

As you did report that the current situation did arise from a
system-restore, it cold be, however, that restoring the old account
might not work.
In this case nothing else would help but a fresh install from scratch
:-( :-(

I'd seriously hope that following the above might a way of fortune.
Pls don't blame Me if not.

Rainald