settings manager/menus don't work, desktop icon funnies

[Carl]

After combing through XFCE ML archives since Jan, trying various 
seemingly-related suggestions, adding considerably to my experience of Linux 
beyond the GUI...

Started using XFCE with MEPIS 6 rc3
MEPIS 6 uses Ubuntu 6.06 as primary repository
Loaded XFCE and a few plugins--but not weather--through Synaptic PkgMgr

Excellent, no problems, everything worked with no hitches. Very good job on 
XFCE! I prefer it over KDE, which is MEPIS standard.

Did a clean install of M6.0Final. Did a fresh reload of XFCE through Synaptic 
of the same XFCE package (4.3.0, I think) as I had previously.

Now there are the following symptoms:
1. Desktop Rightclick menu works except for most choices under Settings
-Settings-Autostarted applications works
-Settings-menu editor works
-None of the other choices bring up a window. They do however take window 
focus away from whatever is active on the desktop (such as this email 
message). It is as if something is running, but not visible. 
2. AltF2 doesn't bring up a dialog box
3. Desktop icons appear as a sheet of paper with a dogeared corner...except 
every once in a while. Example--rightclick on desktop, choose 
Settings/Desktop Settings; focus leaves email message, 2 desktop icons 
momentarily appear as file folder and trash bin, focus returns to email 
message and icons revert to paper sheets. The Desktop Settings window does 
not appear.
4. All Thunar icons are paper sheet
5. Sometimes (haven't noticed cause/effect) the desktop icons disappear and 
desktop rightclick has no apparent effect. If I run /usr/bin/xfdesktop as a 
panel launcher button, the icons reappear and desktop rightclick works.

It's not a huge deal, the panel and appfinder run almost everything needed. 
Don't want to just give up.

A little wet behind the ears Linuxly. It seems like the answer is just barely 
out of my reach. Any ideas?

Thank you
Carl