Win98SE & IE/OE Freezes, Crashes & Other Problems

[daverfla]

PROBLEM: Formatted "C" partition, then used MS-ADMIN. diskette to install Win98SE w/Plus!. Clean installation, on a 4GB harddrive, w/ 2 partitions, on an IBM ThinkPad i1400 series laptop. 256MB of 168-pin IBM RAM, NeoMagic 128zv video card. Hardware drivers all updated; all Microsoft Critical and misc. software updates installed.
PROBLEM: MS IE/OE v5.0 installs with clean installation, as cited above. However, when clicking on a Hyperlink in OE v6.00.2800, an IE window does not open/launch; OE freezes-up when 3-4 other windows are running in the background. Internet Explorer (IE) v6.0 w/128-bit encryption and 4 "IE Critical Updates", will either freeze-up and/or crash, with and without Fatal Exception Errors. In cases of freezes, only turning the PC off, then on, will enable Win98 to boot-up as expected.
ADDITIONAL: Used Gene Goldings "Win 98" DSL/Cable Modem tweaks, with noticeable improvement in online speed; created LMHOSTS file and saved to "C" partition: websites accessed 4.5x faster than without LMHOSTS file.
BHODemon and SpywareBlaster constantly running in TSR. AVG v7.5 anti-virus also constantly running scan engine, w/full scan @ 24 HRS.
System Information lists the following files as "missing:: WIN.COM & WSOCK32n.DLL. BiosWiz states the SMBIOS, needed to test DMI aspects, as "not being found".
HiJackThis file:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 02:32:33 PM, on 4/12/06
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v5.00 SP1 (5.00.2614.3500)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\INETSRV\INETINFO.EXE
c:\windows\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDTCW.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RPCSS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PWSTRAY.EXE
D:\HP CD-WRITER USB\DIRECTCD\DIRECTCD.EXE
D:\HP CD-WRITER USB\MMENU\HPCDTRAY.EXE
D:\CANON SCAN SOFT\TEXTBRIDGE PLUS\BIN\INSTANTACCESS.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\FOTONATION\EVLSTNR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TP4EX.EXE
D:\GRISOFT\AVGCC.EXE
D:\GRISOFT\AVGEMC.EXE
D:\GRISOFT\AVGAMSVR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TP4CROSS.EXE
D:\POPUP CATCHER\BELLSOUTH INTERNET TOOLS\BLSLOADER.EXE
D:\TWEAK DUN & PLUG-INS\TWEAKDUN\TWEAKMETER.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\MICROSOFT SHARED\WORKS SHARED\WKCALREM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
D:\CANON\MULTIPASS\MONITR32.EXE
D:\BODETECT\BHODEMON 2\BHODEMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PSTORES.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\OUTLOOK EXPRESS\MSIMN.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\MICROSOFT SHARED\MSINFO\MSINFO32.EXE
D:\HIJACKTHIS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.webcrawler.com/
O1 - Hosts: 63.111.163.122 www.orchardbank.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 66.161.33.19 secure2.onlinesupplier.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 208.38.131.22 producttestpanel.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 192.150.18.60 www.adobe.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 207.46.20.30 www.microsoft.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 209.203.81.26 www.riusa.net #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 129.33.10.24 www-1.ibm.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 207.25.251.243 www-307.ibm.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 192.6.234.13 h10025.www1.hp.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 67.19.183.244 www.imaging-resource.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 65.182.192.249 www.satisfactionservicesinc.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 84.53.144.160 www.irs.gov #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 192.136.34.42 pa.3com.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 66.135.208.90 www.ebay.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 207.156.41.46 www.hsmv.state.fl.us #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 69.90.155.75 account.freeworlddialup.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 209.15.72.13 www.usbman.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 209.249.20.135 www.weatherbug.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 199.241.8.50 www.clerk.co.brevard.fl.us #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 199.250.30.101 www.psc.state.fl.us #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 66.150.2.200 www.switchboard.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 207.68.175.99 autos.msn.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 205.178.187.13 www.networksolutions.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 209.50.238.147 www.plexxa.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 56.0.134.24 www.usps.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 213.16.54.16 www.pc-telephone.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 209.50.91.159 apps.ati.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 199.250.17.26 www.dc.state.fl.us #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 217.158.99.145 www.e-resume.us #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 199.181.132.250 www.abc.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 69.12.209.50 www.mycardmaker.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 207.241.148.80 graphicssoft.about.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 72.3.174.201 www.merchandiserconnection.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 207.46.250.115 windows.microsoft.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 209.204.207.94 www.wayneswebworld.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 192.136.34.41 www.3com.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 80.253.105.86 www.askanowner.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 12.4.211.27 www.blackanddecker.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 12.145.213.126 www.blair.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 66.45.113.179 www.careerbuilder.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 67.15.170.241 www.edownloads.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 64.156.132.140 experts-exchange.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.90.116.24 www.jasons-toolbox.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 65.182.100.131 www.karenware.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 68.142.205.137 www.ginasvineyard-marina.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 207.44.188.33 www.worldmkting.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 65.205.248.245 www.thawte.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.180.233.134 www.dekabyte.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 56.0.134.62 zip4.usps.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 65.17.220.46 vbnet.mvps.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 208.57.195.116 www.yardsalenet.net #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 70.84.27.42 www.555us.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 69.84.128.200 www.kmt.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 69.25.27.171 www.justshop.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 70.103.189.71 www.mspa.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.92.237.146 www.mysteryshop.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 12.129.203.36 www.m-w.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 12.130.31.18 www.upromise.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.193.202.245 www.ncpmscenter.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 155.43.4.81 webster.commnet.edu #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 209.246.234.149 www.automotiveforums.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 12.129.71.200 www.publix.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 66.161.12.82 thesaurus.reference.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 207.97.218.209 www.ase.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.113.188.64 www.paypal.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 161.154.39.100 www.fpl.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 209.202.226.180 build.tripod.lycos.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 199.250.30.24 taxapps.state.fl.us #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 65.83.242.103 help.bellsouth.net #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 65.61.216.43 www.electricity4free.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 63.113.210.16 secure1.ingdirect.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 205.143.207.213 mypolicy.geico.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.52.88.136 www.geicoprivileges.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 192.131.99.10 www.ohiobwc.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 69.30.208.66 www.americangamingsummit.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 12.130.31.13 lty.s.upromise.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 72.246.69.133 usa.visa.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 168.97.138.14 www.visaextras.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 157.238.210.110 www.eloan.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 204.202.252.159 www.ezinvoice.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 64.77.226.15 www.onesuite.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.211.139.193 www.paynowonline.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 63.240.89.10 faq.acf.hhs.gov #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 158.71.31.30 www.acf.hhs.gov #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 204.251.15.170 smilianov.net #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 64.26.61.57 www.spineuniverse.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 161.58.191.209 www.drugs.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 65.61.216.71 www.miracle2online.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 40.255.0.231 www.lillyanswers.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 63.172.61.87 www.omronhealthcare.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.37.12.73 www.waffle.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 199.250.30.31 www.fdhc.state.fl.us #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 199.173.225.5 www.socialsecurity.gov #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 128.121.212.247 www.pparx.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 66.132.217.63 www.dentalplans.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 69.20.70.15 painaid.painfoundation.org #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 66.150.5.107 tangowire.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.15.236.69 www.friendsearch.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 198.151.60.229 www.lodging.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 216.142.250.100 www.randmcnally.com #SKIP
O1 - Hosts: 65.182.192.249 satisfactionservicesinc.com #SKIP
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - D:\ADOBE 6.2\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {15C9938F-CB96-496D-800A-B827F2E34EA1} - D:\POPUP CATCHER\BELLSOUTH INTERNET TOOLS\BLSPC.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] c:\windows\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PWSTray] PwsTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adaptec DirectCD] d:\HPCD-W~2\DIRECTCD\DIRECTCD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP CD-Writer] d:\hp cd-writer usb\Mmenu\hpcdtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [InstantAccess] d:\CANONS~2\TEXTBR~1\BIN\INSTAN~1.EXE /h
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EVENTLISTENER] C:\Program Files\Common Files\FotoNation\EvLstnr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TP4EX] tp4ex.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] D:\GRISOFT\AVGCC.EXE /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] D:\GRISOFT\AVGEMC.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_AMSVR] D:\GRISOFT\AVGAMSVR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TweakDUN] D:\TWEAK DUN & PLUG-INS\TWEAKDUN\tweakdun.exe splash
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [blspcloader] "D:\POPUP CATCHER\BELLSOUTH INTERNET TOOLS\BLSLOADER.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [MSDTC] msdtcw -start
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [inetinfo.exe] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe -e w3svc
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] c:\windows\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Update Service] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\TEKNUM~1\UPDATE.EXE /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TweakMeter] D:\TWEAK DUN & PLUG-INS\TWEAKDUN\TWEAKMETER.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
O4 - Startup: Canon MultiPASS Server.lnk = D:\Canon\Multipass\monitr32.exe
O4 - Startup: BHODemon 2.0.lnk = D:\BoDetect\BHODemon 2\BHODemon.exe
O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...797.9480555556
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {74FFE28D-2378-11D5-990C-006094235084} (IBM Access Support) - http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/IbmEgath.cab
O16 - DPF: {9522B3FB-7A2B-4646-8AF6-36E7F593073C} (cpbrkpie Control) - http://a19.g.akamai.net/7/19/7125/40...02/Coupons.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get...irector/sw.cab




SOLUTION and/or SUGGESTIONS??

TNX,

Daver