Internet Explorer only works in safe mode

I am working on a Dell laptop with Windows XP SP2 using IE7.  I can get IE7 to work in safe mode but now when I boot up normally.  I loaded Firefox to see what would happen and it loads but the language appears to be Ukranian.  I have selected the English language and it states it is using Englilsh but it appears to be Ukranian.

I cannot get to my gmail account. I  receive an error message stating it cannot connect to the network.

I have run every virus checker I can think of as well as CrapCleaner.

Any suggestions?