it is only my guess but let me suggest.
the information about upper panel can be obtained from Menu > System Tools > Configuration Editor > apps > panel > applets. please check options there (custom icons, object type are most suspicious).
but nevertheless remove these icons from the upper panel. try to add once more either using menu (menu and go to program you want to link from the panel. if you click with right mousekey you have additional options) or adding elements to panel (also right mousekey over the panel). if icons are ugly you can add drawer or submenu instead.
but it's interesting. have you installed system properly? it looks like lack of theme icons. so maybe changing theme would help (if there is another set preinstalled). check also please synaptic if you haven't broken packages.
hope it helps.
and here there are my piece of panel with icons

cheers,