Internet Explorer help

probably i'm in the wrong forum; that's how up to speed I am.I find it difficult to use this part . please forgive.
I would love some help with "internet option s"
I cannot access it that's to say, the window flicks on and off real quick.so I cannot clear history or cookies. I have windows firewall and Macafee antivirus and popup blocker on this inspiron. I think i have too many belts and braces. It's an official xp pro setup, and until I/it instaled explorer 7 all was fine.I tried uninstalling 7 to go back to 6; no joy . i put ex7 back on, still no joy. As things stand I can't get at int. options AND sys. recovery only goes back a week, to when it all started.Can any one advise what to do. I do know how to access the PMs here but am unsure of finding my way back to Here, if you know what I mean.