Internet Explorer 7 Opens with a flash and then disappears

one more thought - can you see anything unusual or the cause of the error in event viewer ?

There very well could have been tool bars removed with everything done to this computer.  I do not specifically remember moving any, but I think it is likely.  Why?
I did try to run the "no add-ons" version of IE 7 and it still behaves the same.
I have also opened Internet Options from the control panel and it is the IE 7 version so I tried the "Reset" under the advanced tab.  No change.
In Internet Options, I can see Google Toolbar and soem Yahoo elements that have been disabled in the Manage Add-ons section of Programs.

then it could be not fully removed google or yahoo toolbar, even when they are not seen in add remove programs
try to download any toolbar remover you can get (rather a goog one)

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Popup-Ad-Spyware-Blockers/EliteToolbar-Remover.shtml

my "first search result" and see if this helps

I would additionally run this tool
http://www.ccleaner.com/
to get rid of any bad registry data

Try this, has worked for me in many cases where browser failed to launch.

Right click the IE icon in the Start Menu and go to Internet Explorer Properties,

Under the Advanced Tab, click reset to disable any add on's or other customized settings.
 

CardPuller wrote he did it already

Hmmm... I don't know why i did not notice it before. Thanks Roads..

Cardreader, Did you try logging on to a different user profile and see if it's the same case with the other account?

I forgot to mention I ran CCleaner already - that is always one of the first things I do (helps reduce scan times).
I have forgotten about ETR - that is a great tool (thanks for the reminder).  Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it fixed it this time.
Yes, have tried rest a couple times.
I am remote in right now with TightVNC - I will run ETR again (in safe mode) later today when I go back to the office.

hmmm, not a bad idea . . . or even create a fresh profile and see if that works.
I will do that when I get back in front of it.

check the registry manually for toolbars entries

Download HijackThis to desktop - http://www.wilderssecurity.com/supportfiles/HijackThis1991.exe

Choose the option to scan and save log file. Post the log and I'll check it out.

Have you tried ComboFix yet?

I created an entirely new profile and the same issue occurs in that.

I ran HiJackThis (log below).

Running ComboFix right now.    Just finished, but still not working.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:44:50 PM, on 2/1/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16762)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\LSI SoftModem\agrsmsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsAuxs.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsSvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\TightVNC\WinVNC.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\HijackThis1991.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\verclsid.exe

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISTray] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinVNC] "C:\Program Files\TightVNC\WinVNC.exe" -servicehelper
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0\bin\npjpi150.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0\bin\npjpi150.dll
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1233126346109
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1233126366843
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Agere Modem Call Progress Audio (AgereModemAudio) - Agere Systems - C:\Program Files\LSI SoftModem\agrsmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe" /service (file missing)
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe" /service (file missing)
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Auxiliary Service (sdAuxService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsAuxs.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Security Service (sdCoreService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsSvc.exe
O23 - Service: VNC Server (winvnc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\TightVNC\WinVNC.exe" -service (file missing)

I don't like this

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\verclsid.exe

stop the services and try to run IE (in service management)

if this does not work try also stopping

C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.ex

Can you post the ComboFix log? It's located in the root of C:

Here's the log.

There are some items that need to be removed from your computer.
 
Open Notepad and copy/paste everything below this line:

File::
c:\windows\[u]0[/u]03647_.tmp
c:\windows\[u]0[/u]03042_.tmp
c:\documents and settings\Ricardo Jr\Application Data\wklnhst.dat
c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\PrivacIE\index.dat
Folder::
c:\documents and settings\Owner\PrivacIE
c:\documents and settings\HP_Administrator\PrivacIE
c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\PrivacIE
c:\documents and settings\Default User\PrivacIE
c:\documents and settings\NetworkService\PrivacIE
c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\775604872

Save it to desktop and name it "CFScript.txt"

Drag CFScript.txt into ComboFix.exe and it should execute automatically.

If the drag doesn't work you'll need to get a LiveCD, for example BartPE and remove these files/folders. while they're offline.

After you do this if it's still occuring, does it happen in Safe Mode w/ networking?

The ComboFix script ran fine.  No help on the problem though.

The problem still occurs in safe mode :-(

did you try my suggestion: ?
normal mode:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\verclsid.exe

stop the services and try to run IE (in service management)

if this does not work try also stopping

C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.ex

then try to run it

All of those show up as legitimate processes?

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\verclsid.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.ex

Yea, those are legit processes. Have you tried a repair install of Windows? You know, booting to the CD, pressing Enter on the first page and after it detects that you've already got an XP install then you press R to do an in place upgrade? You'll need the MCE disc that came with it the PC. I would HIGHLY recommend using NLite to slipstream SP3 into the CD. It's very easy to do, just follow the instructions here - http://lifehacker.com/386526/slipstream-service-pack-3-into-your-windows-xp-installation-cd

I wouldn't bother with all the other updates, just SP3 if the disc doesn't already have it. From there after the repair you'll have IE6 back on it. Go to Windows Updates and get it up to date with IE7 and patches.

This will overwrite system files that may have become corrupt. But be sure you use the MCE disc with SP3 slipstreamed. Don't overwrite your current SP3 state with a disc that has anything but SP3.

Yes, I already did a repair install.  I think it's time to fdisk, format and reinstall.  I usually can get these fixed, but this one is tweaked!

I ended up with the old FDisk, Format and Reinstall.  Spent too much time on this PITA.  Thanks anyway.