Why can't I connect to web-based e-mails, eg Yahoomail, Excite mail, Lycos mail, Hotmail etc. After the login screen, my IE 6 screen will cease to function. The same thing happens when I register as a new user. After I click SUBMIT, IE stops. But I can access other websites fine. My XP is on SP1. I've tried accessing via Netscape. Still the same. I have enabled cookies, Javascript, ActiveX permission, "come hack me if you want" settings but still... Appreciate any guidance, gurus...

sounds... like you have some sort of blocks on those type of sites you.. might want to test this theory and get a web based mail account on some not-so-well-known site (try to find one) also, you can access hotmail via Outlook or Outlook Express, if that helps if you have no reason to suspect that these sites would be blocked, though, you might have some sort of virus/spyware do a virus scan and use a well-known program called Lavasoft AdAware (google it) to remove spyware

Check your internet options also.

Tried to register to some obscure e-mail in Abu Dhabi (ok, somewhere in Asia actually). Still fails. My internet options looked normal compared to other PCs. I rescanned the PC for virus and ran AdAware, but :-( Any other ideas before I reinstall XP...? Hate to do so because I don't know the reason for the problem. Like cutting off the foot when the toe itches...