I've had that problem before but deleting the file you mention solved that problems (found that http://www.orafaq.com/faqoem.htm).

Is there anything in the listener log?
Can you start it via lsnrctl?
Have you the ORACLE_SID set in the registry? You don't need the listener if it is and your local (>sqlplus user/pass), you could at least see if the database is okay if you can log in.

chris