Resolved IE8 Misbehavior

Starting a few weeks ago, I began experiencing random "lockups" when using IE8. The browser freezes, not responding to mouse clicks. When I finally try to close the browser altogether, I get a message stating the "this program has stopped responding" and offering me the chance to "end now" or "cancel" and go back to check on what the program is doing. Clicking "cancel" always fails, so I normally choose "end now ". When I restart the browser, I get the choice of going back to the page I was on, or going to my home page. Usually (but not always, and at random) going back where I was restarts the browser where I left off.

This kind of behavior never happens with Firefox. It appear to be completely random, and can strike when I'm on any web page without rhyme pr reason.

I use an e-machines T5026 with 1 GB of RAM, and Windows XP.

I would remove IE8 and re-download a fresh copy for a re-install, except that when I go to the control panel, there's no "remove" option for IE8.

Does anybody have any insight as to what's going on and what I might do about it?

 

Have you tried using IE with no addons (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)) and if so do the lockups still occur?