[CentOS] gpg encryption problem

[ryan]

Whenever I try to use gpg to encrypt a single file on CentOS 4.2, I get the 
below error:

/root/.gnupg/.#lk0x56a998.localhost.localdomain.19548': No such file or 
directory
gpg: keyblock resource `/root/.gnupg/secring.gpg': general error
gpg: failed to create temporary file 
`/root/.gnupg/.#lk0x56aca8.localhost.localdomain.19548': No such file or 
directory
gpg: keyblock resource `/root/.gnupg/pubring.gpg': general error
gpg: no default secret key: secret key not available
gpg: /home/ra/Desktop/zoo001.jpg: sign+encrypt failed: secret key not 
available


It happens for normal and root users. 


Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? I've tried "gpg -e [filename]" and 
numerous other flags...

thanks