I'm a newbie, need help

>         I've recently installed Mandrake-Linux 7.1(my first time using
> Linux).  I've followed all of the instructions and everything, but it
> doesn't seem to be working correctly.  When I start it up there seems to be
> errors and then when I use the startx command to get to my desktop, there
> arent any icons and i cant run any programs.  Is there anyone I can contact
> to get some help with this?  I tried contacting Mandrake, but they didn't
> reply back.
> Thanks