operator trouble here...help needed

I am running Win XP (h) in old Compaq pc.

Things were fine a couple days ago. All of a sudden, I have "My Computer", "My Documents", and "My Network Places" on the bottom of the screen (they're in taskbar, middle).

The work fine, but normally you need to go to "My Computer" in Start window to get 'em going.

I've gone through a bunch of stuff on my own looking for ways to get them back out where they belong.

When I try deleting one, I get this message: "are you sure you won't to delete? To later restore, go to Display in Control Panel". For some reason, that doesn't inspire me to proceed.

I know someone out there knows exactly what I've done, and can help me correct my error.

Hover over the icon in the taskbar, then hold down the left mouse button and drag the icon to the desktop. Release the left button.

Do this for each icon.

You're right. It does move 'em.

Something else is going on, as it changes as soon as I move it. Right now, I have "My Documents". When I move it, it changes to being a shortcut. Get rid of the shortcut, and the old one is right back down on the taskbar.

The others will move OK. But, they have replacements: "Recycle Bin", and "Acronis True Image". Seems like whatever I get rid of, others take it's place.

Try this:

Right click a blank space on the taskbar and select 'Toolbars'. Uncheck My Computer, My Documents and My Network Places.

Now go to Control Panel > Display Properties > Desktop tab.

Click on the Customize Desktop button and put a check next to My Computer, My Documents and My Network Places.

Click Apply.

1. When I go to a blank spot on toolbar and right click, here's what I get:

View
*show text
*show title
close toolbar
____________
toolbars
_____________
cascade windows
tile windows horizontally
tile windows vertically
show the desktop
_________________
task manager
_________________
lock the toolbar
properties

Once I select "toolbars", it show me this:

windows media player
links
google desktop
*language bar
*desktop
quick turnaround
________________
new toolbar

2. When I right click on "Acronis True Image" in toolbar, here's what I have:

open
run as
Scan using Spybot
Scan using AVG
Scan using Ad-Aware
submit with threatwork
______________________
pin to start menu
_________________
send to
_____________
cut
copy
_______________
create shortcut
delete
rename
____________
properties

In short, I don't find a place where it mentions the stuff listed in the toolbar. Not sure what's going on here.

so try closing all the toolbars. or click "open folder" and see what's in there.

It's the darndest deal: was just getting ready to send it to the shop when I clicked on "Destop" in toolbar. Clicked on it several times. Presto, all the problems went away. Sure glad to get me old system running right again.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.