is that m$ had to show to the judges (all over the world) that ie was so fully integrated with windows that they could not be sued for -- unfair monopoly or restraint of trade. and that it was impossible to break it up.

and fwiw- i ended up using method 1 (which was not posted)
to solve the ie problem.

method 1 - start-run-sfc /scannow and of course- have m$ xp in the cd tray.

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i was relunctant to do method 2- the instructions to re-install and edit the registry originally confused me. although i would like to learn it. so i choose method 1 out of fear and it worked. i think?

now that i have re-read method 2, i think i could do it. i just have to read the fine print better.