boring browser problem

well ie and firefox just hang on opening and wont connect,
"well how did you write this?" i hear you ask,
ahh well using slimbrowser which seems to work for some reason.
not really sure what to check as windows update doesnt work now, and i havent changed anything ( myself),
where should i look to get the browsers working?
any ideas for me??
thanks
mr banananans

 

Some more information please... Do you have a Firewall? Is your Firewall blocking these products? What operating System? Is it Windows XP with SP2?

 

ok here is the obvious info i forgot!!

using xp, some of the latest updates but not all
goldtach firewall (browsers passed for access)
avast antivirus
latest version of firefox 1.04,
ie version 6 sp1

slimbrowser works fine, other browsers have stopped working.

thanks

 

What happens when you turn off all your file protection. I.E. Avast and your Firewall?

 

good thinking,
well it was the firewall for some reason, so uninstalled it and reinstalled, but same problem, so tried outpost (free) and that wont let anything work!
now using windows built in firewall (works) but if it does anygood i dont know.
thanks for helping