Task manager n desktop problem

Hello,
my desktop items are no longer visable after i log into windows, no start tab, no nothing..jus my background...i would have to (ctrl,alt,del) the n new task and explorer for me to get it back but now all of a sudden imy task manager is disabled so i cannot do anything!!!! im so frustrated as ive got alot of uni work on there and other things.....what am i to do please someone help me out!!!!!