Problems with Hyperlinks.....

I have Windows XP & have recently installed the Service Pack 2. I'm really a newbie with computers as far as the technical things are concerned, but can learn quickly. I have problems with 2 things:
1) Hyperlinks won't work in my email program & other times in IE. I find myself having to copy & paste just about every hyperlink into the address bar before going to a site. What do I need to "reset" in my browser options to get this to work?

2) When going to, for example, a website that has a picture & has a "click to enlarge" option, nothing happens. The error I get @ the bottom bar is "permission denied" & "this site doesn't support that property ". I have turned the pop up blocker on AND off, & this continues to occur.

Any help would really be appreciated! Thanks!

 

INIQUITY11--
1) Perhaps IE is not your default browser. IE Tools|Internet Options|Programs tab|check box "IE should check if it default browser "|Apply|OK|Reboot. The next time you use IE you should get a message asking if you want IE to be the default browser. Click "Yes ".
If that does not help,more ideas here
http://help.att.net/docs/use/email/msole/prb_xxx_w95-3x_e-mail-links-dnw.htm?platform=none
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;306098
2) Those "click to enlarge" options often are javascript commands. You cannot right click|Open in New Window. You must left click. Or perhaps you have disabled the various Scripting items (especially "Scripting of java applets ") in IE Tools|Internet Options|Security tab|Custom Level. Or possibly you have more than one popup blocker running. (You got one by default when you installed XP SP2.) Hold down the Control key when you left click on the "click to enlarge ".