freeze-up/ e-mail

I contiue to have “freeze-up” when I check for e-mail.I run win/me with 5.5 I.E.The freeze-up occurs when there are e-mails being scanned.I have nav/systemworks with auto-protect disabled.I run the utility “go-back”;which is part of the norton systemworks.The o/s has had fewer “freeze-ups since I keep my systems tray to a bare minimal. jerry