BleepingComputer.com: IE7 Visual C++ Runtime error

Starting today everytime I try to open IE7 it crashes and gives me the following error:
"Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime error
<path>iexplore.exe
This application has requested the runtime to terminate it in an unusaual way
Please contact the support team for more information"

The computer is a Lenovo laptop running Windows XP SP2 and I am using Norton Protection Center for firewall and virus protection. I have run virus scans and computer disgnostics everything seems OK. There have been no updates or programs loaded since the last time IE7 worked OK (yesterday). Connection to the internet is a wireless connection to my router and works for email.

I downloaded a fresh copy of IE7 from microsoft and tried loading a new version. Got the same results. Deleted IE7 using the remove programs section of the control panel reinstalled the new copy and still get the same results.

Suggestions??

Thanks