no shortcut icons display on desktop

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize (More info?)

my desktop wallpaper loads without my shortcut icons;
when i access destop, all my shortcuts are there, but
they don't display on my desktop during or after loading
windows. when i tried to change my wallpaper in control
panel/display/desktop, it is frozen and won't let me edit
my wallpaper. what is going on?