IE7 major problems with script errors and blank pages

[hoots463]

Can anybody help?
I am having major problems with script errors in IE 7 - for example:
1. Many pages not displaying correctly (with "Error on page" on bottom left). Some pages completely blank - including (annoyingly) the 'windowsupdate' page (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ - completely blank)
2. No videos working (e.g. YouTube pages - text visible but no screen)
3. "Script error" dialogue box coming up whenever I try to print any web page, or search on a page, among other triggers: ["An error has occurred in the script on this page.(Line,Char,Error,Code & URL lines are all blank] Do you wish to continue running scripts on this page."] This box closes after between 40 & 50 clicks of ‘close’.

I've looked online for suggested solutions - e.g. the "How to troubleshoot script errors..." advice at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308260, tried all the suggestions on script debugging, active scripting, clearing temporary internet files etc.
Nothing makes any difference.
I can't do the suggested installing of latest updates or service packs, as I can't access 'windowsupdate' (blank page)

Problem seemed to start after I was having problems trying to install 'Nero 7 Essentials' after getting a new DVD drive. I turned off the ZoneAlarm firewall and Symantec antivirus to see if that allowed proper installation of the Nero. The scripting errors etc seemed to happen after this (though could be coincidental?)

I'm well beyond my understanding and ability to sort this out.

Any help very gratefully received!

Thanks

[KingPincer]

Try going to an earlier version of IE and see if the problem still persists.

[hoots463]

Do you mean installing Internet Explorer 6 and retrying?
In any case, I can't access any of the windows update sites - just get blank pages!

[Broni]

Did you try system restore?

[hoots463]

What does 'system restore' do, and how do I do it?

[Broni]

Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools, click on System Restore, and select some date prior to your problem occurence.
System Restore deals with system (Windows) files only, so your data is safe.

[2x3i5x]

Have you tried to reset internet explorer? Here's the instructions straight off Microsoft's website: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737

Maybe you want to give this a shot before you head to the system restore. If this goes well and your IE7 gets fixed then you don't need to do the system restore. (Resetting Internet Explorer is supposed to fixing Internet Explorer when it's not functioning properly)

Else, I'd go ahead with the system restore as broni suggested.

[hoots463]

Thanks Broni & 2x3i5x

Re 'System restore' - the 'System Restore' window just comes up totally blank! So that doesn't seem to be an option. But does that tell us anything about the type of fault?

I'll have a go at resetting internet explorer and let you know how it goes on.

[Broni]

Do you mean blank system restore window, or no dates are listed?
Is this some recent problem?

[hoots463]

The whole 'System Restore' window is totally blank. Just the 'System Restore' title at top left on the blue bar, and the 'exit' cross at top right. Otherwise the whole window is blank.
Most other system tool windows seem to be OK.

Does that tell us anything?
Or is there any other way of doing a system restore?

Thanks for your continued interest!

[hoots463]

I've just reset Internet Explorer - but unfortunately the problem persists exactly the same as it was before....
Any other ideas? Is there another way of doing a system restore, avoiding my blank window?

[Broni]

Try here: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/srblank.htm

[hoots463]

Followed those instructions and ran the commands.
Problem persists exactly the same....

[Broni]

Try this: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/repairsr.htm

[hoots463]

Thanks again, but I can't seem to get this to work.
When I get to step 4, I can't locate the "SR.SYS" file under the %Windir%\ServicePackFiles folder. My installation disc is for SP2 (I must have upgrade to SP3 at some stage) so it doesn;t work from there. And it doesn't seem to work either from the c:\windows\servicepackfiles folder either.
I don't really understand what I'm doing with this anyway, and don;t want to wreck the system.....