IE icon dissapeared

hi, i seem to be having a rather strange problem. a week ago or so my calculator dissapeared from the start menu and to this day i havent been able to located it. 3 days ago my internet explorer icon shortcut dissapeared from the desktop. i looked for the file everywhere even in the IE folders and i also did a search for iexplore.exe and it's nowhere to be found on the computer. the only one that i even came close to finding was in the Norton anti-virus folder which i found strange.
i tried downloading IE 6 service pack 1 and it won't let me install it saying that the version that i have is newer. i have 6.9 and that is 6.8. i don't recall seing anothr IE on the microsoft website, i could be wrong.. now internet explorer works if i open it from msn messenger. i am currently using firefox. i tried running my anti-virus scan and nothing came up. the reason why i am worried is because i don't know if one of these days a major file is going to dissapear and my computer will stop working.
i'm using a toshiba laptop, and with it came a recovery cd. i tried putting that cd in and nothing happend. the only file on it is one with the ending .pqi and i cannot open it.
one of my friends said that i might need IE to open it and for the cd to work. i dont know if thats true, but i would like your opinion on what to do?? i can't format b/c i dont have a windows XP cd, it was installed at the factory for me...
if anybody has any ideas on what i should do??

 

Right clik on the desktop/properties/desktop/cutomise/desktop.

See what's what in there for IE.

edit/ my keybord key next to x won't work.


eidt edit/ Got it back. I've been messing aound with my k-melon browser settings. ccccccccccccccccccccccccc

 

ok. so that worked. the ie icon is back on the desktop. thanks. but whatdo you make of the calculator dissapearing. speaking of which i just noticed my microsoft games (solitaire etc) are gone too... also i forgot to mention, my computer gets really heated up after a little while (about 2 hours) even if i dont use it excessively, or have many windows open, and at that point it just shuts off.
the CPU usage randomly fluctuates between 5% to 95% (thats the point where it just shuts down ) is there anything i can do about that? its only been happening recently since stuff started dissapearing.

 

This is where you will find the programs. Make a shortcut to them into the start menu of windows explorer under documents & setting/user name. Probably the easiest way.

%SystemRoot%\system32\calc.exe

%SystemRoot%\system32\spider.exe

%SystemRoot%\system32\sol.exe

"C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Pinball\PINBALL.EXE"

%SystemRoot%\system32\winmine.exe

%SystemRoot%\system32\mshearts.exe

%SystemRoot%\system32\freecell.exe

Think that's all of them.

As for the over heating it sounds like one of your fans is not working. Take the side of the case off & have a look. Forget that just saw it is a laptop. Don't know nothing about them but you must get the heat under control.

edit/ systemroot = windows folder

 

uhm, allright well i tried doing what you suggested and i dont have any of those files in my system32. i ran a search and they aren't even on my computer.

 

Be`careful trying to run the Recovery CD. It will restore some files, back to the original factory setup and you will / may lose anything you have installed since. Back up everything you have on your laptop, as at now, if you are tempted to use the Recovery CD. I'd be contacting the seller of your PC and insist on a copy of XP CD, if you bought the alptop recently. They might come to the party, although don't hold your breath. Bazza

 

Sounds more like some Windows components were uninstalled/dissabled.

Goto Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs, Add/Remove Window Components... You should be able to reinstall/enable the features you've missplaced

As far as your PC shutting down on you... When's the last time you've cleaned the inside of your box? Might just be built up dust. Be very carefull, best to use a can of air to blow out all the dust bunnies, as using a vacuum attatchment risks bumping something loose or even causing permenant damage.