I have windows xp and everything that i download is automatically deleted the next time i log on to my cpu...

well not everything, but materials such as mp3's, and other content of this nature,etc.

Does anyone know how to prevent this?

Heh, looks like The RIAA, MPAA and Microsoft are sleeping together... not surprising in the least.

Is this typical with windows xp or could i be experiencing hard drive failure or something like that?

Um, i'd try a HD failure or a virus or the likes, microsoft would be violating some major privacy and property rights laws if they automatically deleted anything on your system without your permission. (Be it legal material or not). Get a good virus scanner and give your system the once over.

As Daniel said, scan for viruses, spyware (www.lavasoftusa.com), and get ZoneAlarm firewall (www.zonealarm.com)-- Just incase you weren't hacked.

Originally posted by DanielP
microsoft would be violating some major privacy and property rights laws if they automatically deleted anything on your system without your permission. (Be it legal material or not).

Actually no. Microsoft changed EULA few months ago. If you downaloded any updates or installed any software from them in that last few months you are bound by new EULA.

Couple chnges included right of microsoft to remove, disable and uninsstall any content and/or software that is/could be used to circumvent DRM.

So yes, Microsoft can delete your MP3's if they feel like.

Another cool addon in EULA is that you have no right to publicize/discuss .NET platform bencmarks.





Edit to add relevant text from EULA

" * Digital Rights Management (Security). You agree that in order to protect the integrity of content and software protected by digital rights management ("Secure Content"), Microsoft may provide security related updates to the OS Components that will be automatically downloaded onto your computer. These security related updates may disable your ability to copy and/or play Secure Content and use other software on your computer. If we provide such a security update, we will use reasonable efforts to post notices on a web site explaining the update. "

Neat, I smell a lawsuit over that one :)

Originally posted by DanielP
Neat, I smell a lawsuit over that one :)

I can not see much room for a lawsuit here. No one makes you agree with it. Microsoft doesw not "have to" provide you updates. You do not "have to" install their software. It is your choice. If you wanna use their service and product you play by their rules.

I suppose that argument can be made but there also has to be an argument of how far is too far.... I'm not a lawyer and don't really plan to be so I'll leave the arguments to them but I'm sure there's a few many laws being broken on that one.. just gotta find someone with a few billion to take em on.

There is a patch for Windows XP that you might have missed.

Download it here (http://www.linux.com)

I think this is article 85443A that can also be downloaded here (http://www.redhat.com)

That will fix the problem for good.

Alright thanks,, i will go through the above suggestions and let you know how it turns out..

Anyone else here have xp that had similar issues though?