On the same page as you are selecting automatic page refresh, confirm that the history settings have not been reduced to too low a figure of days to keep history links.
Much more likely, however, especially for timmcat with the home PC giving trouble, is that the Security settings have become too strict and that Cookies are not being allowed.
Click on the Security Tab of the Tools/Options/ page. Under Custom it is possible that a very strict Custom security poicy does not allow Cookies. Correct that to a less paranoid setting and things may improve.
All explained in Help/Index/Cookies of Internet Explorer; worth reading Help from time to time.