Bill is having a problem with Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 on his Windows XP system: Whenever he runs the browser, it pops open for just a second or two, then immediately closes again.

Now that's what I call a busted browser.

This kind of problem occurs when Internet Explorer gets "corrupted," meaning there's been damage to one or more of the files that make the program work. Microsoft has , which apparently occurs with IE7, IE8, and even IE9 (way to make progress, there, Microsoft). The solution is to uninstall and then reinstall the browser.

Unfortunately for Bill, he's already tried that--several times. (I don't know if he's visited ; that's worth a try.) That leaves two options. First, consider wiping your system and or . I know that sounds like overkill for a problem like this, but it's something every user needs to do from time to time--and you'll net a faster, like-new system for your trouble.