XP Updates last week have affected my internet explorer

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I am unable to access the internet when I click on internet explorer. The
Internet Properties window appears only. I click on OK and then attempt to
access the internet again by clicking on the internet explorer icon which is
now a globe rather than the e icon as it was before the update took place.
But what is strange is that I have been able to connect to this microsoft
help site so the explorer is working but not by clicking on the icon. Any
ideas?
--
J.L.