Why do the shortcuts on my taskbar become unusable after I install my new printer?

Question

When I install my printer it causes the icons in my taskbar and those in  my start menu to go blank and become unusable.
If I do a system restore to a time before my printer installation, my icons come back.  Then when I reinstall my printer, my icons disappear again.

What could possibly cause this to happen?  It makes no sense.  My printer installation goes perfectly without a hitch, but then my icons disappear.

Please advise as to what procedure to take to clear up this problem.