Need help with cookies arggghhhh...

I recently switched from dial up to high speed cable modem. I need to download security software from cable company but can't do so until I enable cookies. I have IE 6.0 and when I go into Tools, internet options etc, there is no "cookies" to enable/disable.

I talked with the cable company and they told me its a problem with the IE installed on my computer. So, I was in an online chat with Compaq for over an hour trying to get this straightened out. They told me the drop down menu (under the security tab) for the internet options is actually for IE 5.0, and I have IE 6.0, so I have to go into "privacy" tab to enable cookies.

They had me do this:

go into IE, internet options, privacy tab
Click on "advanced"
over-ride the automatic cookie box
check "accept" 1st and 3rd party cookies and
check "always allow session cookies"
click on OK

I did that, and now I can't see half of what is suppose to come up on different webpages. For example, when I go into ebay and want to look at a photo of something, all's I see is a box with a small "x" where the photo is suppose to be. When I go into other websites I can't see some of the tabs to click on etc.

Woe is me.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Sandy