Generally an error creates a cascad effect and I am wondering if the error starts with NAV.

First let me say it is not a good idea to restart the system several times when an error creates a lock or failure. It sounds like you can not shut the system down with the close program menu, if that is the case and a restart is the ONLY option..restart in safe mode. It also sounds like you are not gett the errors in safe mode which would mean it is a start up program that is not coming up in safe mode.

What had been done to the system prior to the errors occuring? A program update? A new software installed? If so boot to safe mode, uninstall the program or the software, run a thorough scan disk and defrag while in safe mode and before reinstalling the software.Once the maintenance has been done, create a system restore point. Boot to standard mode, reinstall the software. Reboot the system. Does the error occur? If not first thing to do is create antoher restore point and then...

If this all started after an update for the software, before updatine it research the software's website to see if others are having similar issues...if not, download and install the update, if possible download to your system, log off line, and install the update offline and shutting down all programs through the close program menu, with the exception of ctfmon, systray and explorer.  Once installed reboot again...does the error occur? If not, you would seem good to go.

I had downloaded Spybot, Adaware and Pop-Up Killer (I think that was it). I have since uninstalled them. Then I loaded a Microsoft Windows update (February 2004 update). I have additional problems since doing that. Now, System Restore doesn't work, Norton Anti Virus gives an error message, IE and Outlook Express don't work. Netscape works and all other programs I have tried still work, i.e. Microsoft Works, Picture It, CD Creator, games, etc. I went to Remove/Upddate Programs and uninstalled an IE and Outlook Express update, but that didn't help anything.

Uninstall Norton Antivirus which seen to be one of the causes

download and run vexira

http://www.centralcommand.com/downloads.html

click on try next to

Vexira Antivirus for Microsoft Windows 95/98/Me

or
NOD32 Antivirus System has been the only product in the world that has not missed a single “In the Wild” virus in the rigorous testing conducted by the antivirus industry ‘bible', the Virus Bulletin ( www.virusbulletin.com )
http://www.nod32.com/download/trial.htm

download an alternative browser which is difficult to hijack
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
http://www.opera.com/download/

browsers which use the internet explorer engine
http://www.crazybrowser.com/download.htm
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/myiebrowser.html
http://www.myie2.com/html_en/home.htm

Use System Mechanic 4.0i to fix the registry errors
http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10281118.html?tag=lst-4-7

or

Jv16 PowerTools
http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10196668.html?tag=lst-4-6

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@mcarol107 wrote:
I had downloaded Spybot, Adaware and Pop-Up Killer (I think that was it). I have since uninstalled them. Then I loaded a Microsoft Windows update (February 2004 update). I have additional problems since doing that. Now, System Restore doesn't work, Norton Anti Virus gives an error message, IE and Outlook Express don't work. Netscape works and all other programs I have tried still work, i.e. Microsoft Works, Picture It, CD Creator, games, etc. I went to Remove/Upddate Programs and uninstalled an IE and Outlook Express update, but that didn't help anything.

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If you are not familiar with the registry and deleting values and keys, it is possible in using spybot that registry keys/values were deleted that are not interfering with the running of the probrams you mentioned.  Uninstalling IE and Outlook Express could also create additional problems as Windows operation is dependent on IE for some operations. 

At this point I would recommend doing a clean install of ME. Of course, save your personal files to cd or disk, make sure you have all the current drivers for your hardware and then petition and format the harddrive for reinstallation of Windows. If you are unfamiliar with reinstallation, Dell provides step by step instructions.

I've had Norton Anti-Virus and Norton System Works for over two years and never had a problem until I installed the Microsoft security update. It loaded a newer version of IE and Outlook Express than what I was using.

I didn't delete IE and Outlook Express...just the update...it didn't
change the operation of them. Outlook Express just won't let me compose
a messaage except in HTML and some of the toolbar buttons cause it to
quit responding at all. I can still receive email using it. At first,
IE will not allow me to type in messageboxes, search boxes, etc...now
I get an error: Iexplorer has caused an error in MSHTML.DLL when I try
to type in search box, etc., and IE closes.

have u tried re-installing ur NAV? some errors do occur when u update ur programs. like they will act that they arent really compatible unless u re-install 'em.

also after reinstalling, try using regcleaner to clean up ur unwanted keys, this might help too, and configure ur start up porgrams too. might help.