[alanmcorcoran]

Not sure if this will help, but try replacing your Anti-virus with Microsoft Essentials Security (also free.) I don't get the about blank issue myself. Another troubleshooting step you can try is to disable all add-ons in the Internet Explorer (Tools, Manage Add-ons) and see if it goes away. Then add back the add-ons one at a time until it reappears.

This isn't really a computer forum - but if you are going to post this sort of thing, you should include basic info like: PC or Mac? What browser? what version of the browser? What OS? and so on. I'm guessing you havea PC with windows XP, Vista or 7 and you are using IE8, but, there are a lot of other possibilities based on your post. Patrick is a IT pro - you could try PMing him.