Well it is a relief to know that it's not my computer. I don't as yet know if I will be able to transfer over all my programmes from the old computer, so at the moment I am having to start at square one with installing and personalising programmes using a new version of Windows when I am not exactly a competent computer person in the first place.
Not being able to see everyone's cute little icons was just the last straw!
Thanks for the info amma.