The easiest firt step you can take is to run Windows Update. To do this, connect to the internet, open Internet Explorer, click Tools, then Windows Update. Install all critical updates. (you may have to run it again after a reboot as some updates can only be installed by themselves.)
If this doesn't fix your problem, it sounds like you may have ActiveX disabled or rather security settings set to not allow ActiveX. To correct this open Internet Explorer, click Tools then Internet Options. Click on the Security tab, then click "custom level" while the "Internet Zone" highlighted." Next, you'll see a drop down menu with the words "Reset to.. [medium, medium low, low]" with Medium selected click the reset button.
