uninstalling Windows XP hotfix and Internet Explorer questions

I'm new here, and please let me apologize in advance for not knowing much about this...

What exactly are Windows XP hotfixes? I have about 50 of these in the installed programs - some are listed from service pack 1 and there are 4 or 5 from service pack 2.

I am trying to uninstall any unneccessary programs from my computer in the hopes that it will run more quickly. Are these hotfixes necessary for the computer, or can I delete them safely?

Also, when I got my cable modem Internet Explorer simply quit running. It will pop up for about 3 seconds, then shut off. I downloaded Mozilla Firefox and it runs fine but does anyone have any clue as to why this happens or what I can do?

I appreciate any help you can give me!
-Amanda

 

The hotfix are your system downloading update from the windows website. Some of them are needed, some maybe drivers for your hardware. You can get them all from the Windows Update program, or Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=39955

As for the Explorer it could be that you need to run a repair on it or that there may be spyware/adware on your computer that is causing it to crash.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Hopefully these will help.

 

Thanks so much for your help! Now it's a day for fixing this computer.