Switched on an XP laptop not used for some months. It began downloading and installing updates including ie8. Unfortunately the power went off half way through and now when using ie it launches several windows with error messages saying it cannot find http://xxxxxxx (where xxxxxxx is various symbols - usualy squares). Sometimes there are messages about 'instruction at xxx referenced memory at xxxx.
Closing these messages causes another ie window to open with more messages. Only way to stop it all is to terminate the ie process.
I've tried uninstalling ie8 from the control panel - still had the same problem. I reinstalled ie 8 (after downloading the install file to another pc) with no luck so uninstalled again.
McAfee Security Centre (updated today) reports no virus.
Any suggestions - I'm happy to run scanning software but they can't be web based unless I can get another browser to install and run...
Thanks