http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm
I just loaded this at the behest of a good samaritan. He accepts $5.00 donations so if it helps, don't be cheap.
The download enumerates ALL problems of missing Desktop things.
My Desktop has been missing for three months or more and nothing, I mean nothing, worked. This did.
1.) Download
2.) Unzip
3.) Open
4.) Restart computer and behold...
I hope it works.
Regards
Justin