Go to this site and see if you show a reverse DNS.

 

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

there is a reverse dns. any thoughts???

http://ftp.us.dell.com/      can you get to this one?

 

open IE and go to tools/internet options/advaanced tab  and tick any of the ftp boxes that are empty. Close all instances of IE and try those ftp sites again.

 

 

I use a program called filezilla to browse ftp sites.

i can connect to the site, but now i can't even do microsoft updates. it won't open the page. i'm going to try to connect directly to my dsl modem and see if that works.. if it does, then i'll know it's my router. i hate this!!!

ok, so that wasn't it! i have sent an email to dell & microsoft. hopefully between the two i can get some kind of resolution!!!