Loading New Media Messes Up Database!

Suddenly every time I load media my database goes wacky. They look like old sample pages and the menus are nonsense too. I think these are experimental pages I abandoned sometime or other. I reload the database from a backup and all is well, until I upload media again. I suspect it’s a plugin update causing it, but I don’t know which one.

I also suspect my configuration might be causing problems. I had originally installed WP into a folder called “HQ”; however; I pointed it at the top level of the site. I don’t remember how I did this; I’ve been told I “hardwired” some stuff in my theme (I guess) so switching it will be difficult.

First, is having WP installed in a folder other than where the www address is pointing really a problem? Second, is this directly or indirectly causing the problem with my database when I load media?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,