When i log into my laptop there nothing there apart from background

I just found these forums as im in dire need of help, im not sure if this is
 the right place to post this and if it isnt please would you put the link t
o the correct forum

well anyway when i turn my laptop on and enter my password, the taskbar neit
her the links at the left side of the screen show up. i can get on the inter
net as i go on ctrl+alt+del (task manager( and type 'aol' into the new taskb
ar (located in 'file') option, the only thing there is my background and als
o i cant seem to access any of my documents by using the same method i use t
o get on aol, plz help me somebody i have no idea what to do