Error messageswhile using OE with automatic shutdown

Repeatedly while working in OE, and after a variety of steps, an error message appears. <An illegal operation has been performed. OE will be shut down. Press <<close>> > And no matter what I press, OE shuts down. In the upper left corner of the windows, there appears one of two codes. Either <Msimn> (less often) or something like <kernel 32> (more often).
It has become a nuisance and costs me valuable time. I have lost no information, and no programs, but would like to dump this problem if possible. Thank you for your help.
ALK

 

General suggestions (that often work):
- dump your TIF (temporary internet files)
- dump your cookies
- run Ad-aware and Spybot (see Quicklinks from my signature) with an immediate update after the install to remove spyware.

For more targeted suggestions, need to know what OS you are running and what IE/OE version.