Fixed it!!!
FIXED IT.....(my) "computer" icon now back on my desktop!!!!!
I'm not really sure what I did, but I can retrace my steps here.
1. Tried the link that kemical forwarded me Link Removed - Invalid URL
in various ways (spaces, no spaces, etc. in DOS prompt) Nothing.
2. Then I tried the other link that kemical (aka life saver) sent Link Removed - Invalid URL
But I only tried the part that said Automated Fix Using an Registration File
since I couldn't figure out how to use the other options (maybe you can't in Win 7). I then noticed this little note which stated: NOTE: Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.
So, I did a full scan with Avast! and nothing was found. Then I tried SpyBot and it found a few things which I had it remove. After that, I saw that the computer icon under "personalize" > "change desktop icons" was no longer greyed out.....BUT I still didn't have a computer icon on the desktop no matter how many times I clicked to put it on the desktop. I'd click it on and go out of the window. Nothing. I clicked it off and went out. Nothing.
So, I clicked it OFF and restarted my tower (which it froze). But, I restarted again and still no icon. Then I clicked "personalize" > "change desktop icons" and clicked the computer icon to show and BAM! there it was.
Hope that helps and THANKS KEMICAL....