Usually that is caused by cookies being blocked. Check your security and privacy settings.

If nothing else, just add those websites you are having trouble with in your "trusted" zone.

Tools--internet options--Security (tab). Uncheck the box about https verification, unless the sites you plan to add start with https.

It also sounds like a pop up blocker is preventing the other links from coming up. Try holding down the "ctrl" key as you click on the link.

quite a long article. hope it helps

 

Remove Temporary Internet files (cache) in Microsoft Internet Explorer.  

1. Close any open Internet browser windows.

2. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
   The Control Panel Window appears.

3. Double-click the Internet Options or Internet icon.

NOTE:

If you're using the Category View in Windows XP, perform the following:

1. Double-click Network and Internet Connections.
2. Double-click Internet Options.

1. Click the General tab.

2. In the Temporary Internet files section, click the Delete Files button.
   The Delete Files window appears.

3. Click to check Delete all offline content and click OK.

4. Click Apply.

5. Click OK.

 

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Configure the Security Settings for the Trusted Sites Zone in Internet Explorer  

 To configure Security settings for the Trusted Sites Zone in Internet Explorer, perform these steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs and click the Internet Explorer icon.
   Internet Explorer launches.

2. Click the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
   The Internet Options window and Security tab appears.

3. Click Trusted Sites, and then click Default Level.
   The slide bar slides to Low

4. Click Sites, type the URL of the site you want to add in the Add this Web site to the zone box.

5. Click Add, click the OK button, and then click the Apply button.
   The Internet Options window closes.

 

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Clear the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Slate and AutoComplete History  

To clear the SSL slate and AutoComplete History, perform the following steps:

1. Launch Internet Explorer,

2. Click the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Content tab.

3. Click the Certificates tab, and then click Clear SSL State.
   The message SSL Cache Successfully Cleared appears.

4. Click the OK button.

5. Click the Personal Information option, and then click AutoComplete.

6. Under Clear AutoComplete History, click Clear Forms.
   A confirmation window appears.

7. Click the OK button.

8. Click Clear Passwords.
   A confirmation prompt appears.

9. Click the OK button.

10. Click the OK button two more times.
    The Internet Options window closes.

 

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Verify that Internet Explorer is Configured to Use SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0  

1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Advanced tab.

2. In the Settings box, scroll to the Security menu.

3. Click to select the Use SSL 2.0 and Use SSL 3.0 check boxes (if they are not already selected).

4. Click the OK button.

 

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Verify that the Date and Time Settings on the System Are Correct  

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Click Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options, and then click Date and Time.

3. Click the Date & Time tab.

4. Make sure that the date and time settings are configured to use the current date and time, and then click the OK button.

 

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Verify That the System Is Using 128-Bit Encryption  

1. In Internet Explorer, on the Help menu, click About Internet Explorer.

2. The level of encryption on your computer appears next to the words Cipher Strength.

3. Verify that the Cipher Strength value appears as 128-bit.

4. Click the OK button.

NOTE: 

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Perform A System Restore to Return Your Computer to a Previous State  The System Restore feature in Windows XP takes a "snapshot" of critical system files and some program files and stores this information as restore points. You can use these restore points to return Windows XP to a previous state.

For additional information about how to do so, click the following article number to view the article in the Dell Knowledge Base:

 

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Verify Third-Party Firewall or Antivirus Program Settings  Make sure that third-party firewall or antivirus programs that are installed on your computer are configured correctly and are not preventing you from connecting to secure Web sites. For more information, see the product documentation or contact the program vendor.

For more information on Dell SecurityCenter™ by McAfee®, refer to the following Dell Knowledge Base Article: 

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Use the System File Checker (Sfc.exe) Tool to Verify Protected System Files  

Use System File Checker to scan and verify the versions of all protected system files. You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to run System File Checker. To run System File Checker with the /scannow parameter:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click the OK button.

3. At the command prompt, type sfc /scannow, and then press .

For additional information about System File Checker, click the following article number to view the article in the Dell Knowledge Base:

 

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Ensure the Cryptographic Service is Running on Windows 2000 or XP  

To ensure that the Cryptographic Service is running, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs and then point to Accessories.

2. Click the Command Prompt listing.
   The Command Prompt window appears.

3. From the blinking cursor, type the following:
   net start cryptsvc

4. Press the key.
   The requested service has started appears if the service was not running.

5. From the blinking cursor, type the following:
   exit

 

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Re-register the Internet Explorer cryptographic DLL files on Windows XP. Date Created : 2003-10-17       Last Modified : 2004-01-14  

To re-register the cryptographic DLL files, perform the following steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type
   cmd

3. Click the OK button.

4. At the Command Prompt, type the following lines and press the key after each line:
   
   regsvr32 softpub.dll
   regsvr32 wintrust.dll
   regsvr32 initpki.dll
   regsvr32 dssenh.dll
   regsvr32 rsaenh.dll
   regsvr32 gpkcsp.dll
   regsvr32 sccbase.dll
   regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
   regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll

5. Click the OK button when you receive the message that DllRegisterServer in FileName succeeded.

6. Type
   exit