I know this has happened to others but I have seen no definitive method of resolution. I have lost my desktop: all icons, the startbutton, the taskbar, the date, and all icons of running programs at the left. I have installed a new windows 2000 that works, but would need to reinstall all my drivers and programs to match what is on it already. I am not a beginner. I can go through the task manager to get to my programs and there is even a directory called desktop with all the icons in it. All attempts to drop a shortcut or rightclick on what should be the desktop are null.

This says to me Corrupt profile.
If you are lucky its very easy to resolve, if not it's a pain.
If the account that you are using ISN'T the main administrator account then its simple.
Just log in on the main admin account, control panel > user manager and delete the one that is causing problems.
Reboot and recreate the account.

If it IS the main admin account then you are in a whole world of hurt.
You'll need to boot to the install CD and do a repair of the OS.

Hope this helps

I have learned a lesson: Never run anything through the administrator account. Too bad I learned it too late.