IE Favorites MESSED up...all programs shut down when accessing it!

I was browsing the internet as usual this morning and all of a sudden, when I tried to pick a site from MY FAVORITES, a message box pops up with the message:

Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

...this with the option to send an error report to Microsoft.

Then IE shuts down. I looked on the net (using Mozilla Firefox) for solutions but I am lost. I tried running Ad-Aware and other virus-scan programs and they all seem to get the same popup when they scan the favorites folder. Sometimes IE will even shut down if my mouse runs over the favories option in the top toolbar...without clicking. I cannot open the favorites folder at all...Windows closes when I try. I have no idea what to do!!

My bookmarks (the same ones as in IE) are still ok in Mozilla Firefox.

Can anyone help??

Thanks so much.

Emma

 

Anyone? Please!!

Emma

 

Windows XP, 2000, 98, etc?
All updates performed?

I'll help you search the MS Knowledgebase when you get us all the details.