IE8 Crashes on Startup

In the last ten days, I have had two Windows XP Professional computers (one newer Dell Optiplex and one white box) with current updates and service packs (SP3) develop a problem with IE8. Upon executing the application, it crashes immediately without displaying any browser interface. Extensive research did not turn up a problem identical to the problem the two computers experienced although there were some that were close. I employed the posters' recommended fixes with no luck. Here is what I did on both computers, in the order completed, to attempt a fix. I restarted the computers after each step.

1. Scan using Symantec Endpoint Protection version 12.1 - no viruses.
   
2. Scan using Malwarebytes latest edition and definitions - no viruses.
   
3. Remove all temp files, Internet temporary files and all Internet files in the Content.ie5 hidden folder.
   
4. Using the Internet Options application in the Control Panel, disabled all add-ons.
   
5. Using the Internet Options application in the Control Panel, reset the browser with all options selected (available on the advanced tab).
   
6. Found a script online that purported to fix the type of problem I was having. Numerous comments said it worked for them. It did not work for me on 1 computer where I tried it.
   
7. Did a system restore to a point before the problem started.
   
8. Downgraded to IE7.
   
9. Upgraded to IE8 again (1 computer)
   
10. Removed the most recent updates.
    
11. On one computer, I installed Firefox and it crashed the same way IE 7 & 8 crashed
    

Following is an event ID 1000 from the application log:

Event Type: Error

Event Source: Application Error

Event Category: None

Event ID: 1000

Date: 1/3/2012

Time: 11:58:34 AM

User: N/A

Computer: WKSTN106

Description:

Faulting application iexplore.exe, version 8.0.6001.18702, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x0000a9f6.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Data:

0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat

0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail

0010: 75 72 65 20 20 69 65 78 ure iex

0018: 70 6c 6f 72 65 2e 65 78 plore.ex

0020: 65 20 38 2e 30 2e 36 30 e 8.0.60

0028: 30 31 2e 31 38 37 30 32 01.18702

0030: 20 69 6e 20 75 6e 6b 6e in unkn

0038: 6f 77 6e 20 30 2e 30 2e own 0.0.

0040: 30 2e 30 20 61 74 20 6f 0.0 at o

0048: 66 66 73 65 74 20 30 30 ffset 00

0050: 30 30 61 39 66 36 0d 0a 00a9f6..

This happened at two separate clients. Both have between 20 and 40 Windows XP computers. The fact that Firefox crashed too is really scary, and I am wondering if there will be more like this. We had to wipe the first computer and reinstall the OS, but I am not wiping the second one yet. I would like to find out what is happening and fix the problem, but I am all out of ideas. Maybe somebody on this forum with more experience in this type of issue can help.

Tony

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