Ubuntu 8.10 - No desktop appearing

[Dougal]

I am running Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex dual-booting with Vista for work purposes.
I have been running the two successfully for quite a few months now and am just getting to grips with it.
I have lost my desktop at start-up. I get all the way past the Login to a blank desktop background (just colour - no image) and the only thing visible is a Terminal window. As I am not familiar with Linux command lines I can't do very much. Does anyone have any idea of what has happened.
I have even tried reinstalling Ubuntu which showed no error messages that I noticed but, I have the same result.
At the moment I have used Supergrub to allow me to boot straight to Vista till I get things sorted out.
I am still a newbie so please be simple with replies.
Thanks.

[Linux_tech]

log in via a terminal and type:

cd ~/.gconf/apps
mv panel panel.old

then reboot and try logging in again


Also, if you can get to the command prompt,
- run this command to display contents of X11, then post output

cd /etc/X11

ls