Internet Explorer opens then closes

[Mike]

When I open IE 6.0, it opens and closes before it even
opens a website. Other browsers work just fine. I tried
installing XP-SP2, but that changed nothing. Can't
uninstall and re-install, and the IE 6 browser on
Microsoft support site is older than what I have, so it
won't install.

 

[Taurarian Constellation]

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm#IEOpen
Cannot open Internet Explorer [flashes and quits]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;831432
"Iexplore.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close" error message when you
try to start Internet Explorer

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by third-party software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;827315

You Cannot Open New Internet Explorer Window or Nothing Happens After You
Click a Link
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q281679

 

[Keith]

When I open IE 6.0, it opens and closes before it even
opens a website. Other browsers work just fine. I tried
installing XP-SP2, but that changed nothing. Can't
uninstall and re-install, and the IE 6 browser on
Microsoft support site is older than what I have, so it
won't install.

I had identical problem last week. It was Adwatch ,a component of ADAware.
Just one possibility