built-in accounts in WinXP

I’ve recently enabled the Guest account but when clicking the Icon on the welcome screen nothing happens exept a brief flicker of ‘loading your personalized settings’.
Now, I’ve a stand alone Pc and use it solely for my (non IT) business (i.e. I’m not an IT buff).
Could some body help/explain to me what’s wrong?
I actually believed what the help files tell me
–> just click here and there, then enter a name and….presto!