IE 7 slows then stops

[cleepops]

Recently a problem has become more persistant. Using IE7 if find surfing slows dramatically (especially if I navigate to a new page) and then it stops and I find I find IE not responding. This is often follwed by no response from Task Manager and I can only shut down PC using main power button.
OS is Vista home. I have Zone Alarm and Avast. In desperation I have scanned with Adaware, Spybot, Malabytes and A squared -all show negativeresults, even a Hijackscan showed clean on analysis. I also tried a system restore in Safe Mode and in normal mode  but this failed each time (using different restore dates) and I get error message that SR could not complete due to unspecified error.  Anybody out there able to help?

[Broni]

1. Close IE.
Go Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools, and click on Internet Explorer (no add-ons). Same thing?

2. Go Start>Run (Start Search in Vista), type in:
msconfig
Click OK (hit Enter in Vista).

Click on Startup tab.
Click Disable all

Click Services tab.
Put checkmark in Hide all Microsoft services
Click Disable all.

Click OK.
Restart computer in Normal Mode.

NOTE. If you use different firewall, than Windows firewall, turn Windows firewall on, just for this test, since your regular firewall won't be running.
If you use Windows firewall, you're fine.

Same problem?

[Cityscape]

Time to switch to Firefox 3!

[dddavis1954]

Download and install SPYBOTSD from SAFER-NETWORKING.ORG.

be sure to:
create a registry backup
Update
immunize
and run to remove spyware/adware/malware

[Broni]

Download and install SPYBOTSD from SAFER-NETWORKING.ORG.

Don't.

[Cityscape]

Upgrade to IE 8 or Firefox 3.