Downloading and installing IE 5.something or other has been the solution. Cheers
As for the upgrade advice, well that's kind of a contentious issue. Husband next door wants new all singing all dancing PC and her indoors (next door) has decided that a new pc comes very low in their priorities. So the 486 at least for the time being has to stay, and whilst we both accept that an upgrade is very desirable, all the time there is a slim possibility that a shiny new PC will adorn the 'desk in the corner', money spent on the plastic antique will be wasted.
The main thing is, the problem in hand has been solved, Thanks for the advice.