My work has been lost and my desktop screen seems to have gone back to the way it was when I first bought it (blue screen and minimal desktop items). Can I restore it to the way I had it with all of my work back?
It sounds like you must have had a problem which caused the computer to reset to an older registry point. Windows xp automatically sets registry points when you load or unload software/hardware etc. If you are using XP you can go into programs/system/system restore and try to change to a more recent registry point . maybe one that is only a couple of weeks old. If XP cannot do this it will revert back to the one you were most recently using.
howtomendit.com for free repair help, information and advice.
Try fixfault.com to fix notebooks/laptop pcs.