have you run Windows Update and downloaded all the critical updates? it sounds to me like you are having problems with a computer system that has crashed before and it has corrupted files. the other possibility is a virus or spyware. you need to check for those first.
Herb....
My IE(latest version IE 6) closes if i open some websites like radioshack.com and also it does not play music in some websites.I had enabled the sound settings by going to
internet options--advanced and checked multimedia settings to enable to play sound and video.
I run a compaq computer with 746mhz proccessor with 128mb ram and 20gb hard drive space(14gb unused)
Help is appreciated.
Thanks

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic