BleepingComputer.com: Internet Explorer has stopped working

Basically, my problem is that Internet Explorer auto-crashes, right after I start it up. It'll start to load up a site, and then I'll get a box that says 'Internet Explorer has stopped working, Windows can check online for a solution'

This is the error code I get:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: iexplore.exe
Application Version: 7.0.6000.16386
Application Timestamp: 4549b133
Fault Module Name: StackHash_8d13
Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 00000000
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00003200
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 8d13
Additional Information 2: cdca9b1d21d12b77d84f02df48e34311
Additional Information 3: 8d13
Additional Information 4: cdca9b1d21d12b77d84f02df48e34311

Close IE.
Go Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools, and click on Internet Explorer (no add-ons). Same thing?

Yep, same problem. It happens after I try to connect to a website.

Well, how about change another version of IE or just reinstall it?

Did you check, if another browser, like Firefox has similar issues?

Broni, on Jun 12 2010, 11:18 AM, said:

Firefox works fine.

Sadly, I can't uninstall IE8 because it doesn't appear in my 'Programs and Features' list. And I can't just delete the folder, because Windows will tell me I don't have permission to do so (even though I'm the admin).

IE8 is treated by Vista as an update.
Go back to "Programs & Features" and click on "View installed updates" in left pane.
You'll find it there.
When you uninstall it, it'll reverse itself to IE7.

Strangely, IE's not in there either. All I see are 'Update for Microsoft Windows (KB________) with numbers where I put the underscores.

It has to be there.
Make sure, you're looking for Windows Internet Explorer 8

This is all I'm seeing:

Hmm...this looks little bit odd.
First of all, why so strange colors? It looks almost like XP.

Then, how come, you don't have any Windows updates listed since 2007, except for two of them from 2009?

Broni, on Jun 12 2010, 12:58 PM, said:

I have all the graphical settings downgrades for faster performance.

As for your second question...*shrug* No idea. I inherited the computer, not sure why it's behind on updates.

In that case, I'd start with running Windows updates. Hopefully, this is legit Vista installation and you can do it.
I assume, there is not even any Service Pack installed.
You have a lot of work to do.