Do you have Norton installed? The linky's a MS thread about this issue, I've only scan read it, but looks like the AV could be getting in the way, though the guy in question seems to have done a windows update and it sorted itself out :/
I don't suppose this is one of those you-would-phone-MS-and-shake-your-fist-as-an-honest-paying-customer-but-it-would-be-a-bit-embarrassing-if-they-called-your-bluff scenarios?
Thanks all for sympathy & ideas. I managed to sort it out - eff knows how - & updated IE, but it hasn't made a blind difference to Ethan, who remains vanished, at least to me.
"We all have flaws, and mine is being wicked." James Thurber, The Thirteen Clocks 1951
bastard by name