regarding message "Unhandled win32 exception (3956) starting a new instance of Internet explorer 7.0"
I experience the same problems after installing Explorer 7
Starting Explorer 7 with two tabs as homepage gives in 50% of the case the win32 exception 2228
Also other programs give rise to exceptions i never seen before.
Like closing microsoft word (by clicking on the cross) gives exception 3544

Unhandled win32.exe exception (2228, 3544, ..)
Webologist
Ton, this doesn't sound like it is an issue with the Live Search SOAP API. I would recommend going to http://support.microsoft.com and selecting the product you feel is giving you the error and using their support facilities to resolve it.
nate