iexplore/task manager problem

[mysts]

We are using winxp pro.
The computer kept getting slower and slower so we looked at the Task Manager and found seven(7) instances of iexplore. So we deleted them and the computer came back to life. Now when we go to a website and then leave it the iexplore stays in the Task Manager. We have done the following:
1. Uninstalled IE8 and installed IE7. This did not fix it.
2. Reinstalled IE8.
3. We then ran several cleaners including trojan removal. No luck.
4. Looked for help on google and yahoo and found lots of references to the problem but they all wanted to sell us software.
5. Has anyone ever had this problem?

[stiltman]

I would try SuperAntiSpyware, or HijackThis
I would download one of them, I prefer SuperAntipyware myself
Run the setup
Do the updates (do the updates a couple of times, shuting it down and restarting it each time)
Reboot computer and hit F8 before windows boots so you can go into safemode without networking
Run a full scan with SuperAntispyware

[Ai Haibara]

One thing to keep in mind about IE8, though, as I recall, is that it starts a new 'iexplore' process for each tab you open (so that one tab crashing doesn't bring down the whole program). I think Chrome does that, too. However, if the processes are just hanging there, even after IE is closed, you could indeed have a spyware problem... or a Flash/Java process that's not responding well, either.

I'd also run a scan with your antivirus software, especially if it detects malware as well. And it might not hurt to try Spybot - Search and Destroy; HijackThis is a powerful tool, but don't start making changes while using it unless you definitely know what you're doing.