IE7 can't nav. beyond homepage. Windows Exp. boots back to root directory. Help!

[ElNiNoSt0rM]

As the title implies, after a few hours (or less) of using my computer (normal usage. No spyware sites, etc.), my internet explorer will not navigate past the homepage. When doing so, it turns to a white screen (within IE) and the status bar disappears, at which point it hangs. At the same time, using Windows Explorer, I can't navigate past the root directory (where you see C:, D:, etc.). It automatically boots me back to it. It's not FROZEN, per se, but it just keeps kicking me back.

Windows defender didn't pick up anything unsual.

Any thoughts?

-Matt

 

[mpilchfamily]

Run multiple spyware cleaners. Also try reinstalling IE. All else fails go with a real browser like Firefox.

 

[ElNiNoSt0rM]

Will try that. It's affecting WE though, too. Will try a different cleaner.

 

[Billb2]

Windows Defender is a joke.
There are free versions of AVG and Avira. Get one.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you reboot your PC after this problem starts, does it immediately fix it? Or does the problem continue? What makes the problem go away?

Do you know exactly when the problem first occured?

Does it happen in SAFE MODE, too? (Hitting F8 during the boot process).

One immediate option is to run a Windows System Restore, if you know about what day the problem started. That will restore most of your system and settings and can fix some problems. It shouldn't result in the loss of User data, but any new programs installed after the System Restore Date chosen (both good and bad) will have to be re-installed.