IE-6 Loses original window when linking to another page.

Hi again folks. I,m stumped on a problem with IE-6 browser just when I thought i'd experienced them all Anyway the browser opens normally (usually in a max window) and everything funtions normally from page to page untill I link to a second page that opens in a smaller (resizable) window. When the linked-to window opens, the original window closes and only the smaller linked window remains. I hope this description is coherent, I'm not real keen on terminology just actions. Anyway, I am unable to use the foreward or back buttons to navigate back to the original page because the arrows are grayed out (unavailable).
I have run sfc /scannow to no avail and have located the proper key in the registry to switch the stored file so that it may be reinstalled I think (found on the elder geeks page) but this creeps me out. I'm really good at deleting things you know. I have even tried reinstalling SP-2 but that didn't work but I didn't uninstall SP-2 first-should I have? Oh and I also tried unchecking "reuse window when launching short cuts" in internet options.
And to make things more interesting this machine is an HP piece of ...fine equipment that didn't come with a media disc. It does have a recovery partition though. I'm just not sure I need to reinstall the OS.
I sure could use some advice other than to use Firefox, although I do sometimes. I'm partial to MS. Call me crazy
I'm open to sugesstions and thankful for you folks.

 

Check to see if you have Yahoo Companion installed. If so, try uninstalling it. I believe it gets installed with the Yahoo toolbar and also Yahoo Messenger (I could be wrong about the latter).
How do I uninstall Yahoo! Companion?

 

Zander
As usual you were exactly right. Turns out that I had removed Yahoo Companion a few days ago with hjt and just forgot about it. This is a family computer and I am on almost constant guard for crapware with a 17 year old in the house.
When I restored the file in hjt today the problem went away so now I'll uninstall the tool bar and companion. We have ATT Yahoo (we don't need no stinkin' Yahoo ) and are pleased with the DSL service...very stable and I'm only aware of a 20-30 minute time peroid when the local server was down and thats in 2 full years. We'll stick with the connection but the Yahoo stuff makes me pine for the days of worldnet.
Thanks again.

 

You're welcome. Glad to hear you have it sorted out.