are you using AOL if so it could be your MTU setting needs to be changed. Download a program called DrTCP and change the MaxMTU to 1400. If you have a router installed you will need to do the same in the router settings. Seems unless you change this setting with AOL you cant sign into msn or access the web site or even windows update site. Could be the same with some other ISP's too.
Gary
December 2005