I think I can help a little.

If you click tools, delete browsing history, then check temp int files and history, then select delete, all the posts go back to blue.

Seems to me under internet options these two are selected for each time you log off.

On the favorites, if they are all still there, click on them one by one, open the site, then under favorites select add.

I think you can get the tool bar back under options or something?

You may need to restart too?