Opera - keeps reverting to 'First Run' every few days

Help.

this is making me nuts. i have installed Opera Portable in My Documents/apps

every few days when i launch the Opera (11 at this point, but it used to do this w/ 10 too), Opera opens as though it's never been set up before. It puts me in the 'first run' page. the only way i have discovered to get around this is to delete the whole opera folder, and install a fresh copy... which also only lasts a few days!

i'm about to walk away from my favorite browser, because it's been doing this to me for MONTHS.

when i do set up a new installation, i set all my preferences theme, etc, and i turn automatic updates OFF

am i the only one this is happening to?

how to i make it stop??

I'd VERY MUCH prefer to keep using Opera, but this is getting so old.

Please help