Cryptsvc may be Off - Can't Reinstall IE7

Dial-A-Fix gets to 'Fix SSL/HTTPS/CRYPTSVC' and won't go beyond. It succeeds in Stop Services but that is it.

When I tried to reinstall IE7 I got a message saying - unable to verify integrity of files needed to install - make sure cryptography service is running on this computer

So, obviously cryptsvc has some kind of a problem (I think)

I can't use the Windows XP installation disk for repair because the OS has been updated a few times and is no longer the same as when installed.

How do I make sure cryptsvc is actually running?

How do I get dial-a-fix to keep going? (past cryptsvc)

How do I get IE reinstalled? (I need this because our government (Canada) web site won't accept anything but IE)

Using: Win XP home - Firefox 3 - trying for IE7 (also) -

 

This happened to me once. I had to run Dial-a-fix 4 times before it finally got it...

 

Also here's Microsoft about it: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798/en-us

 

Thanks Cordialis:
This problem is on my friend's computer (mine is ok) and I'll have to wait to see how successful it will be - but there is a lot of useful information there
Cody