shortcuts on desktop will not open

[johnm]

i am running excel 2002, the problem is i can no longer
gain access to my excel files via the shortcuts on my
desktop, i can however get to them if i open excel first
then navigate to them via 'open'.
from the shortcuts on the desktop, excel opens at the top
and bottom but the middle (main part of the document)
does not open and the desktop is all that is shown

thanks
john