Windows Explorer won't open

I tried searching the archives for this problem before posting, but kept getting data base error messages.

I can't get IE (version 6), Windows Explorer, or My Computer to open. When I try, I get an error message that reads: Windows Explorer (or IE) has encountered a problem and needs to close.

System info is:
Windows XP Home Edition, v 2 with sp 1
Pentium 4 CPU 2.40 GHz
256 GB RAM

I've run Norton Anti-Virus and Ad-Aware, with no significant results -- one minor tracking program from Alexa, and a few tracking cookies, all quarantined now. I've run Hijack This, but don't know how to interpret it.

Everything else on the computer seems to be working normally. All non-windows non-explorer related programs, that is.

 

Alexa is included with Internet Explorer, however it is also spyware and should and can be removed .

Anyway, go to the Spyware Forum and follow the recommendations, and if needed post the Hijack This log there.