I'm TRYING to sort out a PROBLEM a friend is having with getting some PROGRAMS to connect to the internet. Here's what happens:

It seems that programs that were installed previously can connect just fine as they always did but any NEW or updated programs will not. For example, Firefox just released an update to version 1.5. Version 1.5 was working fine but since the update it does not. I tried downloading and installing Opera. It will not connect. I tried downloading and installing Spybot S&d. It will not connect to get the latest definitions.

Meanwhile, Internet explorer still works and any other programs that have been on this system previously can still connect to get updates or whatever just fine.

The connection is via cable MODEM. There is no router in use. The firewall is the Windows firewall and turning it off does not fix the problem. The anti-virus program is AVG.

The system is a P4 2.8GHz system with 512MB RAM. Its running XP with SP2.

Any thoughts/ideas welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks,
Lloyd