Using Firefox with I.E. running in background?

[flopeyeman]

I have been using Firefox as my browser for years!  I am up to date on all software. I have been having problems with my internet freezing up some. So I will run a scan with C Cleaner and that usually "fixes" the problem but I have recently been noticing the fact that there is a very large amount of Internet Explorer Temp Internet files, and cookies that need to be "Cleaned"  even though I have removed IE from my list of windows components? I am running XP sp3 On a dell notebook model 1011 I hope that this makes sense. It is like IE is running even if I am offline I have run task master to see what is running and It showed nothing running in background! Is there a way to completely remove or disable all versions of IE? Also there is no IE version listed in the Add/Remove program list either!     

[flopeyeman]

This is the Hijackthis log file also

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 2:58:16 AM, on 10/18/2013
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16915)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\WLTRYSVC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\bcmwltry.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Nero BackItUp 4\NBService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchIndexer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\WINDOWS\OA012Mon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WLTRAY.exe
C:\Program Files\WSED\WSED.exe
C:\Program Files\Battery Meter\BTMeter.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\CapsLKNotify\CapsLKNotify.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\IncrediMail\bin\IncMail.exe
C:\Program Files\GamesBar\update\SearchEngineProtection.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\IncrediMail\Bin\ImApp.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://g.msn.com/USCON/1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.live.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://mystart.incredimail.com/isearch/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,Default_Page_URL = http://g.msn.com/USCON/1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: Web Assistant Helper - {336D0C35-8A85-403a-B9D2-65C292C39087} - C:\Program Files\Web Assistant\Extension32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OA012Mon] C:\WINDOWS\OA012Mon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Broadcom Wireless Manager UI] C:\WINDOWS\system32\WLTRAY.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WSED] C:\Program Files\WSED\WSED.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BTMeter] C:\Program Files\Battery Meter\BTMeter.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CapsLKNotify] C:\Program Files\CapsLKNotify\CapsLKNotify.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSC] "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [IncrediMail] C:\Program Files\IncrediMail\bin\IncMail.exe /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SearchEngineProtection] C:\Program Files\GamesBar\update\SearchEngineProtection.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Add animation to IncrediMail Style Box - C:\Program Files\IncrediMail\bin\resources\WebMenuImg.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe Flash Player Update Service (AdobeFlashPlayerUpdateSvc) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashPlayerUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Mozilla Maintenance Service (MozillaMaintenance) - Mozilla Foundation - C:\Program Files\Mozilla Maintenance Service\maintenanceservice.exe
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Nero BackItUp 4\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Wireless WLAN Tray Service (wltrysvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\WLTRYSVC.EXE

--
End of file - 6398 bytes

[flopeyeman]

Can someone please help me out?

[soybean]

You normally only 1 version of IE and you can't actually completely remove IE, at least without risk is causing damage to your system.  The option to remove via the Windows Components part of Add/Remove Programs simply removes the links (on Programs menu, desktop shortcut, etc.) to IE.  IE is rather tightly integrated into Windows operating system and you should not attempt to remove programs files that make it work.  If you don't want to use IE, then simply don't use it; just ignore it.

The fact that you see Temporary Internet Files from IE appear when you run CCleaner's file cleanup utility is, I believe, attributable to factors which, for practical purposes, are beyond your control.  For example, I have also observed the same thing you have noticed about Temporary Internet Files from IE in my Windows 7 system, even though I may not have used IE since the last cleanup.  I attribute this to the fact that I use Microsoft Outlook and Windows Live Mail on that computer and I believe they put Temporary Internet Files in the same location as IE.  And, perhaps other MS components do this also.

What is your hardware setup for Internet access?  Are you using a router?  Are you absolutely sure your modem and router are working fine and that your ISP never has any downtime?  I suggest you run some speed tests, at various times, of your Internet connection via speedtest.net.