Send link by email using IE 7 and MS Outlook 2007 does not work

Hello to all. I know sure the problem I'm about to describe has been discussed on this forum because I've been researching possible solutions tonight for over 2 hrs without success. In short, have a new computer with Vista Home Premium which seemed to be working fine. Only had this rig a couple days so how much could go wrong right? WRONG! All seemed well until I tried to send a link by email...... and nothing happened. So I tried again with same results. I ended up trying to open Outlook but it wouldn't respond either but WOULD work fine again if I restarted the computer. From my research on this forum and others I believe Vista for some reason Vista is refusing to recognize Outook2007 as my default email client, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPEATEDLY GONE INTO 'SET PROGRAM ACCESS AND COMPUTER DEFAULTS' AND MADE BOTH IE7 AND MS OFFICE 2007 DEFAULT PROGRAMS. I HAVE ALSO REPEATEDLY GONE INTO 'SET YOUR DEFAULT PROGRAMS' AND MADE IE7 AND MS OUTLOOK 2007 DEFAULT PROGRAMS THERE AS WELL, MAKING SURE EACH PROGRAM ALSO HAD ALL OF ITS DEFAULTS CHECKED. I also went into IE7 internet options and set up both IE7 and Outlook 2007 as default programs there as well and even went in under the 'advanced' tab and reset IE settings, losing some cookies in the process. NONE OF THIS HAS HELPED! I'm stumped and frustrated. I suspect there's a problem with the registry but just a guess. I could sure use some help with this! Thanks in advance!
Carl

I have had this SAME issue as well.

Certainly someone knows what's going on.....

Start with a system restore point

Try this Tools>internet options>advanced>reset. You will lose all add ons, but they can be reinstalled. If that does not work:

It may be a long shot, but if you MAKE A SYSTEM RESTORE POINT FIRST, no harm will come from trying

Give this a try

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/233243-default-file-type-associations-restore.html?ltr=D