Tasks - Details not showing

Tasks - Details not showing

I've been having a ton of problems with the Task list... The one where I couldn't add a task seems to be resolved but now when I view the complete list of tasks, the top several don't show up. What I mean is, I can see the date and the blue button but the TEXT has disappeared in the details unless I open each individual task independently. (I've attached a .jpg of the problem)

I am using the latest version of IE and I also hit "refresh" to see if that would make the text appear -- it didn't.

Also, is there any way that more than 4 tasks can show up on the main/desktop page? At least give the option of having all tasks or top 10/20/etc?

Thanks,

~Christina