Temporary Solution...

1. Start IE7 using Start->Run iexplore.exe -nohome -extoff
2. Right click on the toolbar area and tick Menu Bar if its disabled
2. Tools->Options->Advanced->Security->Disable Phishing Filter

Exactly! This did the job.

I was going to ask whether to say "yes" or "no" to the Navcancl prompt. I finally tried "yes" but it didn't make any difference in outcome (IE disappeared.) Well, no difference that I could see ... which is why I kept looking for that to be addressed ... never saw it discussed here or elsewhere.

It really is amazing how often I get to spend weeks of my time just to get things to work. (and I've been doing this stuff since CPM days) I miss DOS.