Can't get System Preferences open

Hi all,

I can't seem to figure out what I did but I cannot seem to get System Preferences to open....it was just fine but now...nothing!

I got a message asking if I deleted QUOTE: Have you tried deleting "com.apple.systempreferences.plist" in Macintosh HD / Users / YOU / Library / Preferences / yet?END QUOTE

to be honest, I'm not sure if this is suggesting that I do it or had I done it accidentally...I'm hoping that someone will read this & understand what I'm supposed to do to fix my situation....how can I get System Preferences back??

thanks