IE 7 not working

Hi,

Since yesterday my IE 7 has been acting wierd, it will open it, but it will freeze straight away. I can select items from the menu but nothing will happen. The homepage wont even show up, but i will see a connecting... when it freezes

i.e i go >tools > options to delete temp files and cookies, but the little box will not show up.

I downloaded corel painst shop pro before it started acting wierd, but i do not know if it is releated.

I dont have the best machine, and it is rather old, but its only a spare computer so we only use it when the others are taken

any help would be appreciated

thanks

emphy