opening links and searches

I have windows xp service pack 2, and internet explorer 7. About a week ago,
the following started happening. I can open IE7 fine (Yahoo is my default
home page) but I cannott open any links. I also cannott do any searches. The
computer just sits in idle, and after a while I get the "windows cannot open
this page" message. Everything was working fine until a week ago. If I type
in a specific address, I can get to that page, but then I experience the same
thing on some of the sites....cannot click any links and get them to open.
I'm wondering if some setting(s) got changed acidentily , or by some kind of
virus? I have a land based, satelite broad band connection, into a router
that splits to 2 PC's, and I am not experiencing this problem on the other
pc. Any help? Thanks Andy C.

"Andy C." <Andy C.@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:55A9A7E1-2190-4553-A42A-...
>I have windows xp service pack 2, and internet explorer 7. About a week
>ago,
> the following started happening. I can open IE7 fine (Yahoo is my default
> home page) but I cannott open any links. I also cannott do any searches.
> The
> computer just sits in idle, and after a while I get the "windows cannot
> open
> this page" message. Everything was working fine until a week ago. If I
> type
> in a specific address, I can get to that page, but then I experience the
> same
> thing on some of the sites....cannot click any links and get them to open.
> I'm wondering if some setting(s) got changed acidentily , or by some kind
> of
> virus? I have a land based, satelite broad band connection, into a router
> that splits to 2 PC's, and I am not experiencing this problem on the other
> pc. Any help? Thanks Andy C.

I know of three causes for the vast majority of such problems:
1. You might have incompatible add-ons:
Go to Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools
and click Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).

2. Tools | Internet Options | Advanced
Scroll to the bottom and click Reset Internet Explorer Settings. Read this
article first:
How to use Reset Internet Explorer Settings (RIES):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737
Note that the Reset IE Settings button will delete AutoComplete data (such
as passwords.) Do you have those backed up?

3. Malware already installed on the computer: Help with malware
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for
malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince you that you
owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.

You might also try the steps here:
"Internet Explorer stops responding, stops working, or restarts"
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/pc_ie_intro

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
Do not reply with email