Not sure if 100% correct about this but I believe that there is now a ie compatability issue with the portal page as the online users panel does not show up altho it works fine in firefox.
If anyone has any idea's on this or why it has started happening please do prey tell. I can only assume there has been a ie security update that is some how blocking this.

think i have fixed it

I think you may be right Soup - mine is working again on IE at work!!

yep is working again :) who done what ?