user profile missing

I created a new user for a guest thats staying,giving them a limited access account.When I tried to log on to this accont I got the following message appear.
Windows cannot log you on because your profile cannot be loaded. Check that you are connected to the network, or that your network is functioning correctly. If this problem persists, contact your network administrator.


DETAIL - The system cannot find the file specified

I dont have a network ,this is a solo computer running xp home edition , I also tried the guest account with the same results.Any help would be most appreciated.Regards Dave.

 

The fact that this happened with the guest account is bothersome. It's certainly possible for a user profile to become corrupt but to have it happen to a pair of them - and one installed when your OS was loaded - isn't a happy making thought.

As to the networking part of the message, not sure but will speculate that since XP is designed to play on a network, it may give that message if unable to find a valid profile matching your logon attempt. Don't have XP-home and can't find any specifics so not sure.

Things I'd try - and this is sort of a "shot gun" attempt but none of these will hurt and they may help:

- delete the account you added that isn't working. Make sure the guest account is enabled.

- empty your event logs - easier to find new problem messages that way.

- run a virus scan from an online scanner such as Housecall.

- start~run~cmd and then chkdsk c: /r and reboot. The checking will take a few minutes.

- start~run~sfc /scannow

- reboot and try to log on as Guest.
... if it works, create a new account and test it
... if it doesn't, take a look in your event logs for error messages that look related to the problem. Any you find, post here. Easiest is to open the log entry then click the icon below the up/down arrows. That sends a text copy of the event to your clipboard and you can just open a new reply here and paste.

 

Hi,thanks for the advice I shall give it a try and let you know the outcome.

 

Hello again,I have found the answer.I was at a friends place who also runs xp home and asked if I could have a look at hers(computer that is).I discovered somewhat by accident a folder in her docs and settings that mine didnt have .
Its called "default user" so I made a folder on mine and called it that and bingo we are in business again,with all accounts working fine.Now as to where it went,I can only assume the author of this reply is an idiot and deleted it.I do thank you for your trouble and I used the check disc.I was wondering how that was set into action in xp.Used to be a system file checker in win 98 that seems to not be needed anymore in xp.Thanks again regards Dave.

 

Glad you got it fixed.

Also glad to know what symptoms that particular issue causes because others will post here with the same problem and it will be nice to have them check something that simple.

And FWIW, anybody on here who hadn't trashed their system by accident at least a couple of times isn't really using it.