I agree with Howard - you got something corrupt with WScript or COM ... my gut tells me its COM but thats kinda hard to believe (maybe in the *OLE*.DLL theres an issue idk) ... i would try this:

1) Lookup WScript.Shell in HKCR

2) Open the CLSID key

3) Copy the Default Value to your clipboard.

4) Go back to the root or HKCR and ^F then paste in the key - find it.

5) Look at the InProcServer key - the default value should be something like

C:\WINNT\System32\wshom.ocx

I would check-out the file, the version, idk. I would also try creating other objects on your workstation - how well does ADSI and WMI and stuff work ?

-Shawn