IE8 not working.

Hi, I tried last night to connect to the internet using IE8, but intermittently it would not connect. I can though connect to the net via Firefox. The problem started some weeks ago when I connected to the net with IE8, but instead of it going automatically to my home page, google.co.uk it went to google.ro. I sorted that by using spybot search and destroy. No problem, it started going to the right home page but last night IE8 started going to google.ro, then not connecting, then connecting, not connecting etc etc.

Short of a total wipe and reload or removing IE8 and going back to IE6 then re downloading IE8, is there someone who could give me any advise on what else to try please?:(:(