(cross-post added to Vista Networking)
"Rogueninja" wrote in message
...
Sorry, forgot to mention that my router is completely open to everything, and
that I am running Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit edition.


I have solved that symptom by requiring that both OE and WLMail
specify my PPPoE connection (instead of getting any connection.)

FWIW I used to have this problem especially with Windows Help and Support.
Here is how I once described that symptom:
quote
An even more reliable test of being in the problem state or in the good state
is to use the XP Help and Support (Win-F1) Support menu and try using
the Get help from Microsoft link. When I try it sometimes (now, for example)
I get is the message "An Internet Connection is Required" with a Connect button
to use. The Connect button gives me the option of hanging up my PPPoE connection!
/quote

Since then I have dramatically reduced the incidences of this and related symptoms
(such as messages not being sent from the Outbox in both OE or WLMail.)
The fix was to change both OE and WLMail on all accounts to specify it wants
the PPPoE connection (instead of just any connection.) I.e., the problem seems
to be that otherwise all products seem to eventually try connecting via a Local Connection
which works but isn't as reliable. So making OE and WLMail refresh the PPPoE link
if necessary has the effect of making all internet applications tend to avoid trying to use
a Local Connection.


Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
---



"rob^_^" wrote:

Hi Rogue,

Check your modem's firewall settings. The symptoms you describe (some
programs blocked) is definitely a firewall issue.

OS version would give us more clues also.... Windows firewall installed?
Some security updates could adjust the Windows Firewall settings.

Regards.

"Rogueninja" wrote in message
...
Lately the only program that can access the internet is IE 7. My Mozilla
and
a few other programs that require an internet connection say that I am not
connected to the internet, but I can browse fine with IE 7. I have no
firewalls (just a big hassle if you ask me) enabled and am not blocking
them.
I downloaded the updates but then had to uninstall a few because they shut
off my internet completely. I do not need any password to connect and it
is
a home network. This is extremely frustrating because I cannot activate
my
Office Home and Student 2007 because it has "Communication Errors". Is
there
any way I can disable this unseen security measure or whatever it is?