How do I keep the folders (links, my music, my pictures, etc.) from being re-created everytime on a reboot?

I'm no authority on this - perhaps there's an option somewhere - but one idea I have for ya is deleting the paths from the registry. The registry stores the paths to certain special directories. Perhaps those are some of them.

i've never searched for that in particular. But i'de be willing to bet that it's on this site http://www.theeldergeek.com/

http://www.xp-erience.org

great place for xp help

i haven't tested it yet but i would say, del my music and my pics in the register, then in the explorer.

It is in the registry somewhere, but good luck stumbling on to it.......

I asked how to get the Links folder out of my Favorites list, and someone suggested I just change it to "Hidden" in properties. This doesn't do what you want, but it is a quick fix for some things.