Thanks guys for your replies so far.
I don't think I'm operating too many things in the background, but I will try the CTRL,ALT,DEL thing and see if that works. Basically I start up the computer, click on my blue Explorer 'E' and go straight on line. Doubtless there are many things going on that I've got no idea about, so I'll certainly have a look.
As for my setup. Well, I'm still in the dark ages. A pentium 233, 64MB RAM and a 'normal' 60 something modem (or is it 56)..anyway the standard thing. I use Windows 95 (stop laughing you lot) and Explorer 5.
DreamCatcher, how do you get hold of the system restore thing? I'll try re-installing the Kernell job from the CD.
Smurfjet. I don't really know if these sites contain lots of coffee. Is there any way I could tell if there is lots of Java around and anything I can do about it if there is? I mean, surely these sites are made to be visited by 'normal' computers and not just Crays. So why would they use so much Java stuff if one couldn't download the site? My A level computer science in the 80s never discussed this. Oh, for a BBC B, tape recorder and BASIC.
Cheers everyone and keep your 'how to's' coming.
Pontius