so a test account works; suggests that the problem is with your account. you could try this: close Preview, go to
HOME>Library>Preferences, and delete
com.apple.Preview.plist
reboot, see how that goes...
EDIT: found this on apple forums: (this is in your HOME library)
- In Finder, open ~/Library/Containers (to open the hidden Containers folder, in Finder use Shift-Command-G and type ~/Library/Containers in the pop-up window)
- Delete the entire com.apple.Preview folder
- Restart Preview