have you checked your system for viruses or malware?

 

check your pc for those then post your hijackthis log here

If the startup is slow, go to msconfig in the run box through the start menu, and then click the startup tab, and then uncheck any items you don't need.

 

I will give you further steps if the startup is faster, and the Internet Explorer actually starts up, because I've got a browser that is much faster than Internet Explorer. 

OK, I tried to download the HJT program in order to post a log. I remember doing this a couple of years ago when I had a problem with another computer. Now when I try to download it I can see the file download window come up for barely a second and then disappear. It is as if something (malware??) is preventing me from downloading. I also tried to install anti-malware from Malware bytes. A similar thing happened except for that I was able to find the program in my Program Files but when I clicked on it the folder was empty. Again as if something is preventing me from downloading it. How can I proceed with any kind of fix if I can't download any of these programs???
As I mentioned earlier, this started wit a problem with IE. Still can't get that page to load, if I try it just hangs and I have to reboot to get out of it. I can still access the internet thru AOL.
Any suggestions????
Thanks for any help.

When did this start happening? Because if you have XP, which most people do, you can system restore it to a point before this all happened, it is in the start menu in programs, then accessories, then system tools, and then system restore, respond if this does or does not work.

I do have XP. I tried system restore twice with 2 different dates. Both times it seemed to be going through the process, the computer shut down and then restarted but came back with the message that system restore could not restore to that date, try another date. I did this twice and then it was late and I just gave up for the night.

ANy other suggestions??

Thanks for your help. 

So you're absolutely sure there are no viruses on your computer, because the only thing I can think of if it doesn't restore, the only thing I can think of is to get a disk from Dell if your computer is not out of warranty, or if it is ask somebody to respond to give you a free link, or give a complaint to Dell if you don't have one. But if you have the disk you should reformat your computer, I'm sorry if you have good programs, and serious documents, save those documents and note your programs if you reformat the hard disk.

 

Best regards,

Matthew