Avatars and Flags not loading

I'm having a big problem loading pages.  I can see at the bottom of my screen it is trying to download the little pictures for avatars and flags.  If the pages load, it takes ages and theere are little red crosses instead of the avatars.  I cant load the daily puzzle and cant get onto live chess.

I am guessing this is an issue with Java but dont know.  (i cleared the Java cache recently).  Can I download something or have you any ideas?  Thanks.

this isn't due to java at all. this is due to your computer blocking files from our file server for some reason. what browser are you using?

OK.  I'm using internet explorer on windows xp pro.  I haven't had problems with any other web sites.  When I tried to do something here earlier, I had the same problem and explorer shut itself down.  I just restarted the computer and it looks like the problem has temporarily gone.  But this happened lots yesterday so I think it will come back.  One thing I noticed is I was getting (sometimes) an error message saying that my firewall wasnt activated.  If I reset something, could it be a pop-up blocker? I'm afraid I dont understand how it works.  Another thing I got was the pages loading the text without any background ie. the titles, forum topics headings were there but in large blue text with bullet type spacings.  If you know of any help pages for this I could probably get it sorted myself, but I dont know where to start looking.  Thanks again.

Furthermore I now cant get onto my games so cant make a move.  I have noticed that there is no problem with loading things with my own avatar and flag, only other members.  My games wont load because the board and pieces wont load.  I guess this is why I cant see any posts involving boards (or that part of them).

You are so Boungclouded.