You're probably a complicated affair, KJ, since you're in the UK. Our machines and software sold in the US is often different than that sold in Europe and how you've set your machine up, etc. makes a difference.

What version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer does your machine have? Your e-mail is not the same/as related to your browser; I would call your ISP and get that sorted with them or Firefox as they can easily tell you how to get your e-mail working the way you want and you should be able to set up Firefox so you don't "need" your IE browser just sits there; it shouldn't be getting in the act, that's a setup thing I think where it's defaulting somewhere that needs to be turned off.

Go to your Control Panel, Internet Options, Programs Tab and make sure you have the right stuff in all those places for e-mail and default browser, etc.