My IE says it has "encountered a problem and must close", but-

[Nicole]

Before it started doing that, I got a message saying "error line 100, do you want to debug", and then a mess of html code. I said no. Also, right before that, I noticed in my event log that something got past my router firewall and hit the Mcafee firewall, "VSI admin". I'm told it's a computer trying to turn my computer into a remote server. Are the two events linked? I don't know. How do I fix my IE without losing all my stuff? That is what happens if I uninstall and reinstall IE, isn't it? Thanks for any help.

[caperjack]

Depends what you mean by STUFF!
You can backup you IE Favorites and everything else should be ok!
It should be loacated in c:\documents and settings /users or if multiple users .c:\documents and settings /your name .If you are using winxp

.A few thing to try befor you uninstall /repair
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Download and run this fully working 30 day trial version Trojan Hunter.
http://www.misec.net/trojanhunter/?aff=12129
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Download CWShredder from HERE and run the Program in safe mode . Press the "Fix Button" Let it fix all variants. Next, Close the program and all windows and IE windows and run hijackthis and Post a Fresh log.

Reboot to SAFE mode to run CWShredder

How to start computer in safe mode

Then these 2 programs .
Ad-Aware and Spybot

Download the latest version of Ad-Aware at ADAWARE

Setup Ad-Aware .
After installing AAW, and before running the program, update reference files by using the bottom right button in the program, labeled "Check for Updates."

Launch the program, and click on the Gear at the top of the start screen.

Click the "Scanning" button.
Under Drives & Folders, select "Scan within Archives".
Click "Click here to select Drives + folders" and select your installed hard drives.

Under Memory & Registry, select all options.
Click the "Advanced" button.
Under "Log-file detail", select all options.
Click the "Tweaks" button.

Under "Scanning Engine", select the following:
"Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile" and
"Unload recognized processes during scanning."
Under "Cleaning Engine", select the following:
"Let Windows remove files in use after reboot."
Click on 'Proceed' to save these Preferences.
Please make sure that you activate IN-DEPTH scanning before you proceed
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Increase the strength of Ad-Aware by installing the VX2 Cleaner plug-in.
Close Ad-Aware 6.
Download the free VX2 Cleaner Here
Install the VX2 Cleaner.
Start Ad-Aware and click on "Plug-ins".
Select the VX2 Cleaner plug-in and click "Run Plugin".
If your computer isn’t infected, click "Close".
If your computer is infected:
Select "Clean System".
Reboot your computer.
Scan your computer with Ad-Aware.
Remove any VX2 objects detected.
Reboot your computer again.
Run a second scan to make sure the files have been removed from your computer.
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Download SPYBOT

After installing Spybot S&D, update it by using the "Update" button on the left panel of the program. Search for updates and download anything it finds

How to setup Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot S&D Check my signature for details

And after that, please do the following:

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Get The latest Version of Hijackthis 1.98.1

Download 'Hijack This!'.HERE

Unzip (extract) it to a folder of its own.Like c:\HJT\hijackthis.exe ,

Then Doubleclick HijackThis.exe (in the new folder), and hit "Scan".
When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save

Log" button.
Press that, then Ctrl-A to Select All, and copy its contents here. for

hijackthis,most of what it lists will be harmless or even essential,

don't fix anything yet.

Reboot and post a log

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[dlh6213]

One more suggestion, make sure your IE patches are up to date using Windows Update, especially if you reinstall it.