Thanks for your quick response, Mr. Myers.

I tried the two suggestions you made , but both checked allright on my
computer.
I reinstalled IE and even upgraded to 5.5. The problems remained.
However during various tests I finally discovered that the homepage I was
using started this problem. It's a page I use for testing a website
containing a frame that has subframes with pictures, including some effects.
The page does open normally on another computer with XP.

To avoid starting the troublesome homepage on the 486  I changed to another
homepage, also with pictures, and this time it shows no problems.

Strangely enough, once I dare to open again the old page I mentioned above,
the browser becomes upset and will refuse opening anymore pictures from any
other website.

In IE4  I did not have this kind of problem. But I had to upgrade the
browser to deal better with the modern websites.

Anyway, I can live with all that. The computer (active since 1994) still
serves its purpose in assisting my laptop and I'll continue using it as long
as it goes...
Regards,