Updating to 10.4.7 & Quicktime 7.1.2 erased everything!

Hi, I'm new to these forums, but I couldn't find any others with this problem.
Last night I allowed "Software Updates" to upgrade everything it wanted to on my MacBook Pro, including System 10.4.7 and Quicktime 7.1.2, and then I shut it down. Unfortunately when I opened it this morning, nearly all changes I had made to my Mac since I bought it are gone. My documents are gone (the whole Documents folder as well as the ones I kept on the desktop). My preferences are gone, my bookmarks are gone, all my Quicken data are gone, all my Eudora emails are gone, and the desktop looks like it did when it came out of the box. The only things that aren't missing are a few of my applications (Microsoft Word, Mozilla Firefox, Quicken, Adobe Acrobat Reader) but when I start these they act like I've never opened them before (preferences, bookmarks blank). Interestingly it still knew the password for my wireless network.
I have tried restarting in "safe mode." I have tried "disk utility repair" from the OS X installation disk but it didn't detect any errors. I have tried resetting the "PROM" but nothing has found all my missing stuff.
I hadn't had trouble with prior updates and (stupidly) didn't even think to back stuff up before allowing Software Update to do its thing. Can anyone help? I have lost 3 months worth of important files!
While I was typing this on my "ancient Mac" I did use "Data Rescue II" and it did find a lot of files. It only let me recover one of them without paying $99, and this did retreive a month-old Quicken backup file. Is it worth it to pay the $99? or is there another way?
Thank you!!!
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7)

HI, blackcat0969.
1. Was FileVault enabled on the account that has now reverted to default settings? If so, see "Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: FileVault - How to verify or repair a home directory image."
2. Did you attempt to change the "short name" of that account by renaming the Home folder? If so, see "Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4 or later: Return to default desktop, apparent 'loss' of home directory"
3. Run the Procedure specified in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the order specified.
4. If nothing else works, your other data recovery options are discussed in my "Data Recovery" FAQ.
5. Before installing software updates in the future, you may wish to consider the advice in my "Installing Software Updates" FAQ. Taking the steps therein before installing an update often helps avert problems and gives you a fallback position in case trouble arises.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

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