This problem occurs in both Internet Explorer and FireFox.
MSN hotmail typically shuts down when accessing mail and entering user name and passwords.
Occasionally (but consistently) does this with other sites.
Hijack This log follows.
Spybot and adware scrube have been completed.
Thanks
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 19:36:50, on 15/03/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\fxssvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\PCMService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\essspk.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADUserMon.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\NILaunch.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Voyager 105 ADSL Modem\dslstat.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Voyager 105 ADSL Modem\dslagent.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_server.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\iolo\SYSTEM~2\PopupStopper.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\MMDiag.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mim.exe
C:\WorkPad\HOTSYNC.EXE
C:\lotus\organize\easyclip.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntvdm.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Basic Help\bin\mpbtn.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\MSIMN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Ken\Desktop\hijackthis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hemscott.net/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.freeserve.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.euro.dell.com/countries/u...en/default.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://securityresponse.symantec.com...prodid=nav2003
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_19_0. dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: IeCatch2 Class - {A5366673-E8CA-11D3-9CD9-0090271D075B} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\jccatch.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_19_0. dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMService] "C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\PCMService.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccRegVfy] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccRegVfy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EssSpkPhone] essspk.exe -b
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ADUserMon] C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADUserMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Drive Icons] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Deskup] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\deskup.exe /IMGSTART
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [InCD] C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Net-It Launcher] C:\WINDOWS\System32\NILaunch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CorelDRAW ESSENTIALS14] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Corel\Registration\EN\Registration.exe /title="CorelDRAW ESSENTIALS" /date=091104 serial=ES02WBD-0090051-GDH
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DSLSTATEXE] C:\Program Files\BT Voyager 105 ADSL Modem\dslstat.exe icon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DSLAGENTEXE] C:\Program Files\BT Voyager 105 ADSL Modem\dslagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mm_server] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_server.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MimBoot] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mimboot.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [System Mechanic Popup Stopper] "C:\PROGRA~1\iolo\SYSTEM~2\PopupStopper.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] "C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe" -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [iolo Utility Bar] "C:\Program Files\iolo\System Mechanic 5\SMUtilityBar.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [FreeMem Pro] "C:\PROGRA~1\FREEME~1\fmempro.exe" autostart
O4 - Startup: Swing Maker.lnk = C:\FOMS\SSAVER.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: BT Broadband Basic Help.lnk = C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Basic Help\bin\matcli.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HotSync Manager.lnk = C:\WorkPad\HOTSYNC.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Lotus Organizer EasyClip.lnk = C:\lotus\organize\easyclip.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Lotus QuickStart.lnk = C:\lotus\wordpro\ltsstart.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Find Fast.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download All by FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download using FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_link.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\flashget.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\flashget.exe
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\ypager.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\ypager.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.freeserve.com/
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.musicmatch.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.musicmatch.com (HKLM)
O16 - DPF: {4E888414-DB8F-11D1-9CD9-00C04F98436A} (Microsoft.WinRep) - https://webresponse.one.microsoft.co...veX/winrep.cab
O16 - DPF: {90A29DA5-D020-4B18-8660-6689520C7CD7} (DmiReader Class) - http://support.euro.dell.com/global/...r/PROFILER.CAB
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{F7CB3415-AE92-4EE4-AF54-4CD8D85F8C5C}: NameServer = 194.72.9.38 194.74.65.69
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation Service (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
O23 - Service: Iomega App Services - Iomega Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service (SymWSC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
O23 - Service: ZipToA - Iomega Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\ZipToA.exe
O23 - Service: Iomega Active Disk (_IOMEGA_ACTIVE_DISK_SERVICE_) - Iomega Corporation - C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADService.exe

Problem described in initial post occurs when trying to read following post on this forum.

About:blank help please!!!!
poof

I can't see anything particularly wrong in that log, except for this entry:

O4 - Startup: Swing Maker.lnk = C:\FOMS\SSAVER.EXE

Do you know what it is for?

Owen, thanks for the reply.
FOMS (Fundamentals of a Model Swing) is a golf tuition screensaver. I have removed it from the start up menu, rebooted and problem remains.
By the way I can't recall having this problem prior to installing XP SP2 but that may just be coincidence.
Ken

I can't see anything nasty in that log then. Can I perhaps suggest having a read of the Cleaning Up and Speeding Up thread at the top of this forum. Run all measures suggested in that post and see if this changes anything.

Owen, did as you suggested, rebooted and checked out problem sites. No change.
On Friday checked sites again ...of two problem sites problem remained on both with Explorer. However on Firefox one site (MSN Hotmail user name and password entered) is now OK.
Beats me ...... now that I can access MSN Hotmail (only way that I can define which e-mails to block) I am ok with it as is.
Thanks for your help/
Ken

Could you go to Start> Programs> Accessories> System Tools and then click Scheduled Tasks and see if anything is listed in there, I just want to ensure that nothing nasty is hiding there. Thanks.

OK...5 items
1) add scheduled task
2)Downloader / 11:55 every day / next event 11:55 28th / never run/ the scheduled task did not run because no user account.....
3)ISP Sign Up reminder/every 15mins/Never / Never
4)Norton AV Scan/20:00 every Friday/ 20:00 01_04_05/ 20:00 25_03_05
5)Symantec NetDetect/every 4 hrs/13:58 28_03_05/09:58 28_03_05
Ken

Two that look slightly suspicious are Downloader and ISP Sign Up. Could you do double click Downloader and copy and paste what it says in the Run box here, the same for ISP Sign Up. The other two are legitimate.