Loaded up cairo-dock onto Mint. Looked good. Next log-on lost the task-bar and CD.

Don't know how to get either the task-bar or CD back. Have to attach the original USB to get on-line. And because there is no task-bar I have to keep all the windows open; cannot minimise anything. Hope it is something simple.

What, just from looking at cairo-dock you broke your system???
Only joking.
But you see, there's no useful information in your OP. Please be precise, and provide as much information as you can. Think describing a crime to a police officer.

We need more information. Which version of Mint. What desktop Cinnamon, Mate, XFCE? I use mint 20.1 Cinnamon and Have had no problems with docks here, you may want to try removing Ciaro-dock and log out and back in see if your task bar returns.
you can do that with this command in a terminal I suggest you use plank as a dock on Mint Desktop as it is much lighter and works well.

In any event we need to know which version and desktop you are using to be of much further help.

Thank you all.

How do I find cairo-dock? I've looked everywhere. I'd like to install it again.

I'm using Cinnamon mint. Don't know any more than that. And don't know how to find out.

What is Plank?

We are winning.

Still can't find the task-bar; but who cares? Opened up the terminal, typed in cairo-dock and!!!??? It (the terminal?) rejected it. But, not to be put off I did the same again. This time 'I' rejected the findings of the Lap-top screen and mamma-mia, C-Dock is laying at the bottom of the screen. Good old C-Dock even let me go on-line and get Thunderbird.

Thank you all for your concern over my short-comings. Especially @ondoho and @KC1DI. I feel that after 47 hours and 22 minutes trying to unravel the secrets of the unravenable, I'm even in a position to help others. I even looked up 'plank'. Very interesting. Save that for another day.

I'm on my way. No more worries about unexpected 'crashes' and it's so fast compared to W-10, that I have to keep a cold beer and paracetamol by my side.

I'm never going back. But! In fairness I said that about Fatima (my ex), only to be lured back by her mental agility. Not really; but you get my drift.

Not good policy to say 'never', but I mean it. Pass me the bottle opener Fat's.

A happy fancycarp signing off.

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How can I get a constant display of the time and date on the screen?

I have no task-bar. But I've got cairo-dock.

I'd use conky.