Hi RingTailFox...

It sounds to have been a rather unfortunate and unlucky episode.

It is rather difficult to imagine exactly what may have happened in the scenario you describe but it seems unlikely you will get anything back.

Maybe in future it is worth learning some of the basics relating to backing up and restoring Windows Operating Systems yourself. This is outside the scope of this forum but see for instance

• http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/products/features/backup-and-restore
• http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/1838/using-backup-and-restore-in-windows-7/

The Firefox profile may be backedup see

• Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles
• Also the bookmarks may be backed up Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
• In some instances files and folders may be recovered from the Operating System or with special utility programs. If your System was wiped there is not much you will be able to do.
• Firefox sync may help if you have used this and had a second device, again unlikely to apply in your case.

You did mention

 my back-up hadn't worked since 5/13  

what sort of backup is this can you explain some more IF you think you still have this and it is relevant.

Thanks for the forward-looking solutions - ! My back-up would start, then a big red bar would graphically tell me something wasn't working. The hacker was changing entries in my 'Services', and was able to stop functions, drivers and systems on my computer. Being w/o formal training, it took awhile to realize that computers don't change their own settings!

Now, I must figure out MMC, to fine-tune my computer and know how to configure everything properly. I'm looking for a tutorial, as the Microsoft Management Console directions are not clear enough to learn the system efficiently.

I did ask just in-case you had some sort of backup retained somewhere,

Most users probably do not need to know much about the MMC. You will need to learn about the various restore and backup methods for both the personal data and system files.

Most important is that it is recommended not running day-to-day in an Admin account. This includes day-to-day browsing with Firefox. That restricts the damage a user may accidentally do and often helps restrict the damage a hacker or malware may be able to inflict.

• Why you should not run your computer as an administrator
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730864.aspx
• What is UAC (User Account Control) & Why You Should Not Turn it Off
  http://www.7tutorials.com/uac-why-you-should-never-turn-it-off