After a power failure I sign in, Windows XP Home loads, BUT my back ground and desktop have changed.  I can't get in to Recycle bin I can't change the backgrund in display. My documents is gone, and a number of other program Icon are missing from desk top. Is there a way to fix this with out doing an  system recovery.

   I would suggest running scandisk (in WinXP right click on the Start button, select Explore from the popup menu, in Windows Explorer right click each hard drive, select Properties from the popup menu, go to the Tools tab, and click on the Check Now button) and then restoring to the latest Restore Point.

Ok, thanks, I'll try that and get back with you.