Host Process for Windows Services stopped working and was closed

My problem occurs at startup.

I have Vista on a Dell Inspiron 1720, running Windows Vista.

Upon startup, I get the following message boxes:
1) c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop location unavailable...
2) Host process for Windows Services topped working and was closed
3) Failed to connect to a Windows Service. Could not connect to Group
Policy Client service.

When trying to review the System Event Log, as indicated, I get a
"Dependency Service or Group failed to start".

Not sure what brought this on - have not installed anything new recently.
Right now, I am (slowly) finding my data files and doing a final backup, in
anticipation of having to reinstall Vista. Would prefer not to do that - all
of my business software will need to be reinstalled.

Looked at some of the other posts, and they look familiar, but not 'exactly'
the same, so checking to see if anyone else has had the same problem.

Thanking you in advance
Jim