DS smilie etc. not working - rather technically stupid and need help.

Well, this is the first time for me on the tech forum, but I really need some help.

All the reply box tools no longer work for me and I have no idea why.

I have restarted the browser, I have turned the whole bloody thing off - I've looked about a bit, but it seems in order - the disable smilies etc. button is NOT on.

Stumped.

Very grateful for a bit of help ( appropriate begging and nice smiley).