ie4uinit.exe - virus or system problem?

I think that the OS is a tad corrupted, the fastest way to fix this would be to reinstall windows to be honest

Do I need to undo anything that’s been done so far? What we be the best method to reinstall without losing everything?

Do you have the windows DVD as we can “Upgrade install” this is the same as the XP repair install http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Yes. I didn’t have the right version so I downloaded an ISO of Home Premium SP1. Got that burned to DVD. No need to undo anything prior to the upgrade install?

No but it would be prudent to back up any important data. Probably not needed but there is a one in a thousand chance

Things are MUCH happier on the laptop after a Windows reinstall and some other cleanup.

Thanks for the help!

Sometimes for weird problems like this it is better to bite the bullet and replace all windows files… Glad all is well now