Internet explorer not appearing anymore

[blom0344]

All of a sudden a number of programs (including Internet explorer 6) no longer appear to be running properly. I can see the task running in taskmanager, but no apps appears.
[Some games still run properly]
I cannot see any suspicious tasks running , but upon closing W2000 it takes a very long time to 'save user settings'. I have tried to apply a patch suggested by microsoft itself:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=166465

but to no avail.
Any suggestions on how to solve this?

Ties Blom

 

[erikhertzel]

Try the IEFix:

windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm

Report back.

Regards.

Erik

 

[blom0344]

Tried the fix, but with no result. As mentioned there are a number of programs that show the same behaviour.
dxdiag.exe is the same story.

Ties Blom