Let's take a quick look at a couple things while happyrock gets his moving done.
In Internet Explorer, click "Tools" on the toolbar and select "Internet Options". In the Internet Options window, under the "Connections" tab, click on the "LAN Settings" button. In the window that opens, make sure that the only check-box selected is "Automatically detect settings". If you make any changes here, apply them (Ok) and restart IE8.
If that doesn't help...or you make no changes...
Click "Tools" on the toolbar and select "Manage Add-ons". With "Toolbars and Extensions" selected in the left pane, disable all of the listed Add-ons, and restart IE8.
Do either of these options help?
wannabe1