Whether your browser allows use of java is sort of embedded into which security levels you set.

A start, while I see if I can find something more specific, would be to run Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|Disk Cleanup.

The is supposed to clear out all applets not currently being used, so it would get rid of one that might have been corrupted somewhere along the way. It also clears old page downloads in temp space and such. It shouldn't clear cookies, unless they're expired ones.

I'm using IE7 which has all the same stuff but in different places, so I may have to go to "her" machine to remember what IE6 looks like. (I'm assuming IE6 is what you have.)

John