Problems installing new hardware Win-Me

I have the exact same problem, anybody know how to fix it? Also when I try to dowload drivers and install them for a new device, the computer freezes then also. All of my problems seemingly originate from when I stupidly downloaded Internet Explorer 6, which has caused nothing but errors since I dowloaded it, until I finally got rid of it. However, I still cannot add new hardware. I tried posting a message of this sort before, but I'm not sure if it worked so here it is again.

thanks
kevin

Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) During Setup, Installing Updates, or Adding New Hardware

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Custom built Athlon Thunderbird 800MHz, Abit KT7A mobo, 256MB PC133 SDRAM
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40GB 7200RPM ATA 100
MSI StarForce 818 nVidia GeForce2 MX 32MB 4xAGP
Micron 700Mx 17" monitor
E-IDE 50x CD-ROM, Yamaha 16x/10x/40x CD-RW
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz DSP Sound, Altec Lansing ACS-33 speakers
Toshiba PCX1100 DOCSIS cable modem, Linksys NC100 FastEthernet 10/100 NIC
Philips Vesta Pro Scan PC Camera, Logitech optical wheel mouse
Win 98SE