Internet Explorer Flickering

When I call up I/E on my friend’s laptop (IBM about 5 years old) it just keeps flashing the address but no page comes up. What could I try?..I tried re-installing windows..connection is cable internet and the connection works on the desktop PC fine. I am going to try netscape but can’t do it yet because the laptop is not mine and I won’t get back to it till next week…Thanks for any ideas.