Help needed please! Corrupt local profile, files appear to be missing

[Jeanne]

Good day,

I really hope someone can help me with this issue!

I recently logged on to our family computer and received the following
two messages:

"Windows cannot load the locally stored profile. Possible
causes of this error include insufficient security rights
or a corrupt local profile. if this problem persists,
contact network administrator"

"Windows cannot find the local profile and is logging you
on with a temporary profile. Changes you make to this
profile will be lost when you log off."

I only had one profile on the computer (new system as of February),
but I just created a new one with admin privileges via Safe mode. It
has no problem retaining changes.

My profile folder appears empty! I read elsewhere that one can rename
the username on the corrupt profile folder from a different profile,
but I really cannot risk losing all of my data. Please note though
that when I logged on under the new profile, I can see the original
profile name folder under Documents and Settings, but it appears empty
(mouse hover) and _I cannot open it and right clicking on it shows it
to be completely empty (0 files and folders!._

I recently had help correcting an incorrect video driver issue, and
the computer was fine for a bit then this happened.

We have a new HP running Windows XP Pro, dual core processor, 250 GB
hard drive, 1+ GB memory, RADEON X300 Series video card, and a
Princeton flat panel monitor.

Many thanks in advance,

Jeanne

 

[Guest]

theres a free download called profile hive cleaner somewhere at microsoft.com

 

[Jeanne]

Hello,

I still really need hand holding with this problem. Sorry for the
delay in replying, I have been out of town.

I will look into your suggestion below as a possible solution, thanks.
However, my main goal is to _not lose_ all of the data and photo files
that were under my local profile by trying to fix it without first
confirming that the files are somehow still safe and can be recovered.

I would rather do this step by step, and understand exactly what I am
doing, and I feel confident that my goal can be accomplished if I'm
careful.

I will go read about the Profile Hive Cleanup Service right now, and
check back later today.

Thank you... Jeanne

 

[Ricky]

If you get an access denied message when you right click on your old profile
folders give this a try..

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&Product=winxp
In XP Home you have to boot in safe mode to see the security tab. In XP Pro
you have to disable simple file sharing.

 

[Jeanne]

Update: I was finally able to access (ownership issue) and copy the
most crucial files over to a temporary new user profile; now I will
attempt to repair the registry for the corrupted user profile, and
with hope things will be as before. --J

[snip]

 

[Ricky]

Here's a couple more links that may help..
. How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile
(811151) - This article describes how to copy user data from your
Windows XP profile to a new profile. When you copy user data into a new
profile, the new profile becomes a ... If your old profile is corrupted in
some way, you can move the files and settings from the corrupt profile to a
new profile.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151/en-us
. "Windows cannot load your profile because it may be corrupted" error
message when you try to log on to Windows XP
(318011) - For additional information about how to create a new user
profile, click the following article number to view the article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base: 811151 How to copy data from a corrupted user
profile to a new profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318011/en-us

Update: I was finally able to access (ownership issue) and copy the
most crucial files over to a temporary new user profile; now I will
attempt to repair the registry for the corrupted user profile, and
with hope things will be as before. --J

[snip]

I will look into your suggestion below as a possible solution, thanks.
However, my main goal is to _not lose_ all of the data and photo files
that were under my local profile by trying to fix it without first
confirming that the files are somehow still safe and can be recovered.

I would rather do this step by step, and understand exactly what I am
doing, and I feel confident that my goal can be accomplished if I'm
careful.

I will go read about the Profile Hive Cleanup Service right now, and
check back later today.

Thank you... Jeanne

 

[jinnii]

Ricky, many thanks for the links. Taking ownership of the profile
folder worked, and I will most likely create a new user rather than
take a chance with the corrupted profile.

Do you know if it would do any harm to try to repair the registry first
just in case (after making backups of the files)? I've noticed that
the changes my son made via the registry (to the start button for
example) appear in some of the new users I've created.

--Jeanne

Here's a couple more links that may help..
. How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile
(811151) - This article describes how to copy user data from your
Windows XP profile to a new profile. When you copy user data into a new
profile, the new profile becomes a ... If your old profile is corrupted in
some way, you can move the files and settings from the corrupt profile to a
new profile.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151/en-us
. "Windows cannot load your profile because it may be corrupted" error
message when you try to log on to Windows XP
(318011) - For additional information about how to create a new user
profile, click the following article number to view the article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base: 811151 How to copy data from a corrupted user
profile to a new profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318011/en-us

Update: I was finally able to access (ownership issue) and copy the
most crucial files over to a temporary new user profile; now I will
attempt to repair the registry for the corrupted user profile, and
with hope things will be as before. --J

[snip]

I will look into your suggestion below as a possible solution, thanks.
However, my main goal is to _not lose_ all of the data and photo files
that were under my local profile by trying to fix it without first
confirming that the files are somehow still safe and can be recovered.

I would rather do this step by step, and understand exactly what I am
doing, and I feel confident that my goal can be accomplished if I'm
careful.

I will go read about the Profile Hive Cleanup Service right now, and
check back later today.

Thank you... Jeanne


On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 05:57:02 -0700, databaseben

theres a free download called profile hive cleaner somewhere at
microsoft.com




Good day,

I really hope someone can help me with this issue!

I recently logged on to our family computer and received the following
two messages:

"Windows cannot load the locally stored profile. Possible
causes of this error include insufficient security rights
or a corrupt local profile. if this problem persists,
contact network administrator"

"Windows cannot find the local profile and is logging you
on with a temporary profile. Changes you make to this
profile will be lost when you log off."

I only had one profile on the computer (new system as of February),
but I just created a new one with admin privileges via Safe mode. It
has no problem retaining changes.

My profile folder appears empty! I read elsewhere that one can rename
the username on the corrupt profile folder from a different profile,
but I really cannot risk losing all of my data. Please note though
that when I logged on under the new profile, I can see the original
profile name folder under Documents and Settings, but it appears empty
(mouse hover) and _I cannot open it and right clicking on it shows it
to be completely empty (0 files and folders!._

I recently had help correcting an incorrect video driver issue, and
the computer was fine for a bit then this happened.

We have a new HP running Windows XP Pro, dual core processor, 250 GB
hard drive, 1+ GB memory, RADEON X300 Series video card, and a
Princeton flat panel monitor.

Many thanks in advance,

Jeanne