If you are using Windows XP Service Pack 2, try turning off the Windows Firewall in your Control Panel. Make sure you are behind a router or that you have a different firewall installed first.... like Zone Alarm if you have to go with a free one. Windows Service Pack 2 has been instrumental in giving people grey hair through problems it causes in many graphic programs. Come back and let me know if it worked. That's the only solution I can think of.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi