Updates won't work and IE7 runs in administrator mode only

I am at my wits end trying to solve my problems and have spent countless
hours doing so with no success.

I think my problems started when I installed Messenger Plus which I
immediately uninstalled but I now feel that it has "left something behind".

When I attempt to open IE7 I get an immediate small window which says
"Internet Explorer has stopped working". I can open IE7 in Administrator Mode
which is OK for general browsing.

However to operate any updates, or most information from Microsoft sites
most links seem to attempt to open IE7 in a new window and the same "Internet
Explorer has stopped Working" window appears.

I have tried using Firefox and again I can get to the links but the new dead
end arrives with updates when I get a screen from Microsoft which says "You
must have IE5 or above installed to use this service,

Thought the obvious answer was to uninstall and reinstall IE7. Then I find
IE7 is no longer a "program" but appears to be part of the operating system.

So I do a multi hour reinstallation of Windows Vista 32 bit Ultimate and
wonder of wonders, nothing has changed.

I am about to resort to a clean reinstallation which, with reinstalling
programs, is going to take me a whole day.

Before I start (and with not a lot of confidence that this will fix my
problem) I thought I would make a final plea for help here.

By the way, I have done all the run IE7 without add on bits etc in my quest.

I hope someone can tell me it's as simple as some rubbish that Messenger
added to my registry.

I will add that I have been using PCs since 1980 and the operating system
fineries still remain a mystery to me.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Peter

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

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_R...:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Peter Gee wrote:
> I am at my wits end trying to solve my problems and have spent countless
> hours doing so with no success.
>
> I think my problems started when I installed Messenger Plus which I
> immediately uninstalled but I now feel that it has "left something
> behind".
>
> When I attempt to open IE7 I get an immediate small window which says
> "Internet Explorer has stopped working". I can open IE7 in Administrator
> Mode which is OK for general browsing.
>
> However to operate any updates, or most information from Microsoft sites
> most links seem to attempt to open IE7 in a new window and the same
> "Internet Explorer has stopped Working" window appears.
>
> I have tried using Firefox and again I can get to the links but the new
> dead
> end arrives with updates when I get a screen from Microsoft which says
> "You
> must have IE5 or above installed to use this service,
>
> Thought the obvious answer was to uninstall and reinstall IE7. Then I find
> IE7 is no longer a "program" but appears to be part of the operating
> system.
>
> So I do a multi hour reinstallation of Windows Vista 32 bit Ultimate and
> wonder of wonders, nothing has changed.
>
> I am about to resort to a clean reinstallation which, with reinstalling
> programs, is going to take me a whole day.
>
> Before I start (and with not a lot of confidence that this will fix my
> problem) I thought I would make a final plea for help here.
>
> By the way, I have done all the run IE7 without add on bits etc in my
> quest.
>
> I hope someone can tell me it's as simple as some rubbish that Messenger
> added to my registry.
>
> I will add that I have been using PCs since 1980 and the operating system
> fineries still remain a mystery to me.
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated
>
> Peter