newbie: Getting the Gnome panel to appear

I cannot get my Gnome panel to appear on my desktop.

When my system boots up, I initially get a splash screen (Lighthouse) with familiar looking icons on the bottom of this splash screen but then it disappears. I'm left with a blank blue screen with only a mouse pointer.

I have a 2 button wheel mouse and when I press the center wheel button, I get a menu that gives me access to Workspaces, Programs, Customiz, etc.

I am such a newbie to Linux, please help. Thanks



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