Windows Explorer's Explorer Bar Keeps Switching to Favorites!

[Frustrated John]

I've a new install of XP Professional, updated to latest
version of everything and not too many additional
programs yet.

I start Windows Explorer and it starts normally with
Explorer Bar running in Folders mode. But after 30-60
seconds the Explorer Bar switches to Favorites, and
repeatedly does so even if I manually switch to Folder
view.

I'm not touching anything, just watching in absolute
horror. Drat, Internet Explorer just did it too!!!

If I leave it alone, Explorer often will hid the Explorer
Bar all together then it quickly comes back with
Favorites and then cycles between the two every 10
seconds or so.

My computer has run amuck! Help! (I'm a developer who
has used NT/2000/XP for years and can't figure out what
settings might be doing this. Any ideas?!)

 

[purplehaz]

Run these tools:
spybot -- http://www.safer-networking.org/
ad-aware -- http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

 

[Guest]

Thanks, did that, but there were only cookies present...