Javascript enabled but doesn't work

This is my first post, so hello everyone !
The problem is that I have Active Scripting enabled, but I get a message saying " you have Javascript turned off in your browser". (My PC uses Windows XP). Occasionally Javascript does function, but then appears to turn itself off. The only help I've been able to find just tells me to "enable Active Scripting", but as I said, it is already enabled. This is driving me mad - please can someone help ?
Please note that I'm not a "techie", so need simple instructions. Thanks.

What browser and what version number? Has it ever worked or did it just recently stop? If the latter what have you done to your computer since the last time it worked? Does it do this at every site or just certain sites?

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Hi Townsbg ! Thanks for yr reply. I'll provide as much info as I can. I have IE8, am registered for automatic updates from Microsoft and have Service Pack 3. Javascript always worked OK until about 3 months ago, in fact it's only since the problem started that I heard of it ! By the way, the trouble with Javascript began before I installed IE8 - I upgraded from IE7 to IE8 in an effort to solve the problem, but obviously it hasn't worked. I'm not aware of doing anything to the PC that would affect its performance - in fact, being a "non-techie", I do as little to it as possible. Security is provided by Norton 360 and I regularly run scans and updates.
When it isn't working, Javascript fails on all sites that require it for navigation, but the strange thing is that occasionally it works OK for a while, then seems to switch itself off.
I've tried two remedies : 1. Checking that Active Scripting is enabled ( which it always is, even when Javascript doesn't work ). 2. I read on one help website to run regsvr32 jscript.dll. I did so, and it didn't help at all, so I removed it.
I hope you can offer some advice, but please keep it simple !

Well I don't know much about IE 8 and I stay away from IE as much as possible using Fire Fox about 99.9% of the time. If I can think of anything I'll let you know but hopefully an IE "expert" will come along. Using FF would be an alternative. Actually I recommend that you install it and try it to see if it works that way you'll know whether the problem is just IE of if it is something else on your computer. Who knows you might just happen to like it.

Thanks townsbg. I'll take a look at Firefox.

You will simply find personal opinion on the browser issue. IE is far superior to any other browser.

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Hi ! Installed Firefox....so far so good, Jscript working OK. Also seems quicker than IE8. Was reading reviews of various browsers, all have good/bad points. Will continue with both Firefox & IE8 - can't see any harm in running both.....unless anyone knows different.