Profile Login Problem -- "Cannot Locate The User's Profile...."

Hello!

 

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who can help me with this problem.  I can't seem to get into my profile and access my files!

 

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 with Windows XP.  My Windows is set-up so that there are two profiles available when you log-in:  A guest profile and a password protected profile.  I've never had problems with the password protected profile, but when I tried logging into today, I received the following message after typing in my password:

 

"Windows cannot locate the user's profile but has logged you into a default profile.  DETAIL:  System has attempted to load or restore a file into the registry, but the specified file is not in a registry file format."  [Or something like that].

 

I click OK, but it takes me to a generic Windows profile.  Like a guest profile, it does not allow me to access my files, pictures, music, etc. 

 

Help!  What type of problem is this and what can I do to fix it?

 

Thank you!