I can visit any site, which is a plus, and I have updated virus/adware through MS, with clear scans. BUT as soon as I "logon" after entering a password for email or other pages, the "MS has encountered an error" window pops up, I can "send error report," and Explorer shuts down. Right before this all started, I was online and Explorer froze up and shut down. I then got a notification from my Taskbar that told me my firewall was off. I turned it back on, opened Explorer again, and tried to log back into the website I was on previously---that's when every site that requires a password began shutting down Explorer with an error message. Any ideas? I can't get support via email, b/c I can't log in! Great many thanks!

First of all, you mean internet explorer, not explorer. Learn the difference. How did you login to this forum if it doesn't accept passwords? What version of IE are you using? Does the same thing happen in Firefox?

What a GREAT answer, Guano! This site is SOOOOO lucky to have YOU helping the technologically challenged... To answer your questions, a little more cordially than you replied to mine: 1--Didn't have to log in to ask a question here, only create a name and password after asking--no actual secure sending pword information, so no crash. (Had to log in after fixing my computer to get a completely asinine response from you, though.) 2-After 12 hours of spyware scanning, deleting, and manually removing files dumped by a Trojan that my newly updated IE7 allowed into my computer, I am now using Firefox. Updated to IE8, but feel safer with F. I post this for other computer-idiots like myself, who may stumble upon this post, despite the drool dribbling from their slackly-parted lips onto the keyboard--- Your computer may have been infected with a Trojan virus, as was mine, and you can use Microsoft.com to find suitable spyhunter software that won't berate you over symantics while it helps you with your problem. One of the .exe files wouldn't delete after the first run, and required manual removal. You can find information on how-to at Microsoft, or by doing a Google search of the particular .exe named file. It takes a lot of patience, but persevere, and you will be successful. As our techie-friend has noted, I am not computer-savvy--so if I can figure it out, you can too! :) Trust me, you don't need the added frustration of having an answer like the above come back when you're at your wits' end. I also updated to IE8, but have been using Firefox since the infection. Hope that helps the rest of us, at least a bit more than "Maleducado." (Other posts by the same are just as impolite--who wants a slap in the face with their answer? Guess you either have people skills or tech skills, eh?)

Many people have thanked me for helping them here. As you can see, I was the only one who responded to your post with logical questions to help determine the actual cause of the problem. Only someone with low self esteem would have responded the way you did. Sell your PC & buy an Etch-A-Sketch. To delete files, shake it. To save files, don't shake it. I'll remember to avoid your questions in the future.