"Explorer" fatal error message

[Health_Warning]

Running Windows 98SE. Everynow and then I get an error message telling me that Explorer has caused an error is is being closed, then it starts back up, sometimes. I had this REALLY bad last time I formatted it, and discovered it was probably caused by a virus, although the actual fault created still remains unknown. I have an idea as to how the virus was introduced to my system, and measures have been taken against such an attack again (stopped passing round "adult" cd-roms). However it happens everynow and then, and if my memory serves me right, its usually when IE5 is running (I think-I'll pay more attention next time). So what can usually cause thi sproblem.

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"The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer-let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it will suffer defeat-let such a one be dismissed!" Sun Tzu-The Art of War

[ski]

What is the exact text of the error message, including Details?

[kayofcircles]

If you think you had a virus, I assume you ran an antivirus on puter and eliminated it? How often is this occurring? Reason I ask is that once in a blue moon..ie every 3 or 4 months..I will get an illegal operation message that will close down IE, but then it goes back to working just fine afterwards so I just figure it's one of those "who knows?" puter things. (One day my puter announced that I had to install a printer to print..well, duh!..but since printer had been working fine for well over a year, I just rebooted..and problem solved. Had a printer again.)

Since you think IE is running when this happens, you might try the repair tool... MSKB article on repairing IE (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q194177)