Java works under Firefox and Chrome but not under IE.

Here's what I tried (the advice normally given on forums):

Java applet activated in tools -> internet options -> security tab -> personnalise -> Java applets

Activated in tools -> manage add-ons -> tool bars and extensions -> Java (tm) SSV2 helper -> Activate

Activated in tools -> internet options -> advanced tab -> Use JRE for applet

I've also deleted my temporary internet files (with Ccleaner),

Reinstalled IE8

It is also set as the default Java for IE through the control panel -> Java -> Advanced tab -> default Java for browsers -> Microsoft Internet Explorer

IE version: 8.0.6001.18702

Java version: 1.7.0_03. (also tried with 1.6.0_31)

Windows XP SP3.

Any advice? Thanks :)

edit:

I have activated the ActiveX controls through manage add-ons -> all add-ons but now, although the coffe cup loading screen appears (which did not before) it makes IE crash (which is new).

I might have fiddled too much with the registry by trying to completely remove Java to reinstall it, so I ran "rereg" (a tool to repair dlls and their registry entries) without success.