Major Internet Explorer problems

[Rococo Era]

I have a odd problem with my IE, when I execute the program nothing happens.
I get the " Please wait " cursor for a few seconds and then nothing. I opened
up Task Manager, and I can see IEXPLORER.exe is active, but the program is
not totally starting.

I've tried installing IE8 ( I had IE6 when this problem started ), that
didn't work, I still had the same problem. I Uninstalled it and tried IE7, I
experienced the same problem. I tried upgrading to SP3 ( I use Windows XP )
because I heard that can fix IE problems, yet the problem persists.

This all started when I got a computer virus some months ago, it caused
re-directs whenever I tried to go to a website, after I removed the virus my
IE was busted.

I'm at my wits end right now and on the verge of a full reformat, I'd
appreciate it if someone could help me prevent doing this.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Upgrading (IE or Windows) in hopes of fixing an existing problem is seldom a
wise idea.

This all started when I got a computer virus some months ago, it caused
re-directs whenever I tried to go to a website, after I removed the virus
my
IE was busted.

And how did you "remove the virus"?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

Is Automatic Updates enabled & working and is your computer fully patched?

 

[Rococo Era]

I believe the virus was XP antivirus 2008, I had AVG free installed and
fully updated but it was unable to remove it, searching online I came across
malware bytes anto-malware which got rid of it easily. Currently I have no
anti-virus software, I use malware bytes and ad-aware which I run regularly
every other week, neither find any problems. As for updates I just installed
SP3 today so everything should be up to date with my windows XP install
(Automatic updates is turned on).

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Is the computer fully patched or not?

Can you accesss & update via http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?

Currently I have no anti-virus software [installed]

That is NOT good.