Explorer problem

Beckipeg

I hope it's ok to post here, I've tried searching previous posts but

My pc keeps coming up with a message
"Microsoft Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close ..."
The link for more details gives
AppName: iexplore.exe AppVer: 6.0.2800.1106
ModName: msvcrt.dll ModVer:6.1.8293.0
Offset: 00015ca2.

We use Win98SE and access the internet on dialup via Force9.

Thanks for all the previous posts on viruses/malaware etc. I've followed what I can.

I ran Windows update and loaded all the latest files suggested but since then I've not been able to access the microsoft website for long enough to get anywhere without getting the error message.
I've checked AVG which we run on our pc. Avast also says nothing wrong. Ewido doesn't work for Win98, Lavasoft website didn't seem to have an install button (unless it's the free trial one). Crap Cleaner froze when I tried to download it. MS Anti-Spyware doesn't work with Win98. Majorgeeks froze. Housecall asked for Java to be downloaded then wouldn't run. I'm wary of using HijackThis as my computer knowledge isn't great.

We don't have an active firewall as far as I know - we tried zoneAlarm and Adaware but they slowed down the pc so much it stopped working. I'd love to install one though.
Our pc is AMD Duron, 1100 mhz. 240MB RAM.

Last night I kept getting an additonal message
"Fatal exception OD occurred at 0A9E:0147268B. Current application will be terminated"
followed by
"Kernel32 caused general protection fault in module KRNL386.exe at 0001.00007592".
I get the feeling that next time I switch on the machine it won't work at all. At the moment email still works, but the computer has a wobbly sometimes and says it's 'unstable' - I'm beginning to feel that way too.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks.

wolfman

No firewall! Woah, ok stop using IE. It does sound like something nasty is on there.

I'd switch to a browser like Firefox or Opera (lighter on system resources and I prefer it). Both are less prone to spyware compared to IE.

Next install a lighter firewall than ZoneAlarm. Kerio v2.1.5 (older version, will need to google it) would be ideal. If not the newer v4.2.x is nearly as light and still very good.

Also, using two av products (AVG and Avast) isn't advisable as they can clash/cause conflict, plus will eat up more resources. Pick one or the other.

Think about buying an anti-spyware product. AdAware and Spybot (free options) are generally very average these days. Something like Counterspy (£8) or Spyware Docter (£10, is heavy on resources though) are much better options.

That shouldn't strain your system and should have you running safer than you currently are.

COVKID

Using XP Prof. and broadband. I was about to come on here with the same problem,had it for a while.
App.name iexplore.exe. App.vers.6.0.2900.2180 Mod.name mshtml.dll.
Mod vers.6.0.2900.2802 offset 000a7041. Looks like we have got the same problem.Mine mostly occours when i am on MSE. not on other sites so much. I am using AVG and Adaware

COVKID

Beckipeg. Have you managed to cure your problem yet?

Browntoa

I've been helping her direct, I've read elsewhere that this sometimes happens because of a corrupt dll file, try copying it from another Pc with the same OS (win98se in this case )