Okay... This is too darn weird... Booted safe, ran the hunter/killer software (adaware, spybot, etc.) and switched the home page, loaded the latest version of IE, etc., etc., and it's still hanging for about 5-6 minutes at least when you load IE...
Damn, but I am longing for the days when I just had to worry my Kaypro, my high-tech 2400bps modem, and the AT commands...