Further details..............
Whilst examining this problem further, it seems that it is not restricted to IE, the bottom of the screen taskbar does not display any open programmes - everything from word docs to any open programme, once minimized disappears completely and has to be re-accessed from scratch.
Because the laptop is new and mainly used by my son it has never been noticed until now.
I am aware of the system recover facility - but I am loathe to use it since I would need to save and reload everything some of which would be very difficult to do - software from work etc....
So it is looking more like a Win XP prob - what does everyone think???
Frazhm