Hey Jim,
IE doesn't have an "auto-refresh" setting that can really be turned on or off. There is however a setting that can allow you to get control of how often pages are loaded into cache, and therefore "refreshed". Check the setting in >Tools>Internet Options>General>Temporary internet settings....like the pic below

Set that to "Anytime I visit the webpage". Leaving it set to "Automatic" will rely on the refresh settings that have been embedded in the HTML.
Try that and see if that helps the refresh problem.
“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”
-Jim