Missing Files and Applications

Yesterday I turned on my computer and a folder and a file on my desktop were missing. I searched for them using Spotlight and Terminal, but was unable to find any trace of them at all. All the files in the Folder are gone too.
I also noticed that my Microsoft Office 2004 programs are all gone and I can no longer open .doc files as a result.
I haven't installed anything new or changed the computer recently. Can you help me figure out how to find the files and what may have caused it?
(This post may belong somewhere else but this was the best place I could find. Thanks)

Hey, I'm having the same problem...all my mp3's are missing, .doc files, everything I need for school, its driving me nuts and the nearest Apple Store is an hour away. If you've figured out the problem yet, or how to solve it, could you pelase let me know?

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