"(null)" messages -

[Sister Colette]

Yesterday I came home to find that I cannot access
ANYTHING on the computer -
all the icons and folders are there, but when I click on
them, I get an error message -
either the file path cannot be found (for most of
the .exe files) or I get the "(null)' message -

I have tried to restore my files - to no avail

Any suggestions? I have a new Gateway computer -
Any help is appreciated -

Many thanks!
Colette