This problem I've encountered on a few computers now. Internet connection is fine, but internet explorer cannot display the webpages. I've tried everything, uninstalling ie7, repairing ie6, using winsockxpfix, running spybot s&d, running countless virus scans...certain programs still connect eg. pokerstars.net, limewire etc. Only internet explorer and msn messenger seem to be affected. Firefox works. I thought this was only a vista problem until I encountered the same problem on XP home. Only difference is it says ERROR 403 on any and every page I try to go to and avast tries to update and gives the same error. I'm at a loss. HELP PLEASE!

well, I found the solution. I went into internet explorer, tools, internet options. Clicked on the connections tab, LAN settings and unchecked anything that was checked. Restarted internet explorer and low and behold. I've done it now on about 6 systems and it works everytime. No idea why..but it works. :)