Hey,Grakus
You did some great work on this
now do this here
click start->settings->control panel->internet options->programs tab->RESET WEB SETTINGS
That will change everything back to defaults (M$)......
Change your homepage and search engines to whatever you wish and reset your pc.
When it boots back up, open IE and see if the page stays the way that you set it.
once you do the above if all is good get these progs here
SpywareBlaster - Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
SpywareGuard - An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware!
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
IE-SPYAD is a Registry file (IE-ADS.REG) that adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer.
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm
also you should think about using Firefox & Mozilla just use IE for updates
Get your Firefox here
Mo who
HGD