Hey guys, I've been using Ubuntu (Maverick 10.10) on my desktop (ATI Radeon 5830) for about 3 weeks now, but all of a sudden I am unable to even use my computer.

As soon as I start up, I see my desktop, with icons, but I don't see any gnome-panels, and I'm unable to get any options if I right-click. I can start programs by double clicking them. I also cannot get an internet connection.

I've tried restarting gnome-panel by killing it, using Ctrl+Alt+5 to switch to a terminal (I don't have a shortcut to one on my desktop, and no hotkeys will work), but no luck. Restarting my computer has no effect upon this (I have to manually cut the power, since I don't know the terminal command).

As far as I know, I have not made any changes, and I've never had any problems in the past. This started when I was playing Minecraft, but my internet crapped out, and no amount of re-trying the connection would work. I know it was my computer, as my brother's was working fine in the other room.

Any clues as to what's going on? I'm more than willing to troubleshoot.