taskbar and desktop disappear

HELP!!! my taskbar and desktop icons disappear almost right after i turn on my computer! The wallpaper is still there but all of the icons, start menu, and taskbar are completely gone. I can use a program if i open it right away before everything disappears and then when i minimize they go down to tabs at the bottom of the screen.

Take a look here for the Windows "how-to" corrrect this problem.
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article07-006

Additionally, there is a virus that can cause this and leave your machine without the ability to perform the above procedure.

So here's information about that malware, its removal, and the follow-up repair to restore your Desktop.

http://www.f-secure.com/download-purchase/tools.shtml

QUOTE
ShellFix
The ShellFix tool is used to fix Explorer startup problems resulted from unconditional termination of F-Nimda tool during its operation. If F-Nimda tool is terminated by a user or operating system while it is scanning a hard disk, there will be no icons and no taskbar on Windows desktop. To fix the problem you will have to run the SHELLFIX.REG file.
Download: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.reg
Download: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.zip
Readme: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.txt

Best Regards