Documents and Settings Folder recognition

[Avoiding Clean Install]

Hi,
I have Windows XP Pro, SP3 installed with all the updates current as at
8/10/09.

I can see my Documents and Settings folder, but when I try to access its
contents by clicking on it, i can hear the click, but nothing else happens.
I do not get an access denied message, or any other message.

I can access the contents by using the start, run, %userprofile%\Local
Settings command.

This is also causing my start menu and desk top short cuts to malfunction.

It appears that there might be a corrupt registry entry that is causing the
Documents and Settings folder to not be recognized.

If this problem sounds familiar to anyone, I would appreciate any feed back
on a fix; directory or otherwise.

P.S.
I did attempt a repair reinstall of windows (keeping existing settings
unchanged), but that didn't help.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Andrew E.]

Install xp cd,exit the menu page,go to run,type:cmd In cmd type:
Sfc /Scannow When its thru,type:CHKDSK C: /F Agree to restart,type:EXIT
Remove cd,restart pc..