How can I reuse my .hdd file after reinstalling parallels 3?

I have reinstalled parallels 3.x because I was having a lot of unexplained issues with it after upgrading from 2.x. My host system is OSX10.4.

I am trying to reuse my .hdd file--no dice. The error reads:
"Virtual machine cannot be started because of the following problem: File/Users/dw/Documents/Parallels/Microsoft Windows XP Pro/windows.hdd seem to be not a regular file and cannot be used as a hard disk image."

Now I'm stuck and have to recover before Monday. I don't know what to do.... CAN ANY ONE OUT THERE HELP ME? PLEEEEEEEEASE?

 

------------I have since read the sticky on getting help....I did search for quite a while- no luck--but here is more specific information as the sticky said I needed to provide:
Not using Bootcamp, Not and upgrade from a BETA, Problems started with 5160 build; so I followed the directions in post:http://kb.parallels.com/entry/21/235/
"Problems When Installing or Running Parallels Desktop"

PT not instlalled-can't get that far, I have tried renaming the file to windows.hds. I have tried reinstalling my previous version (build 3188) . Still no dice.

HELP!

 

After 4 install/uninstalls I am back on the road. Thanks anyway.