XP Home SP2 activation

This is a clean install of XP Home SP2 on a newly formatted HD; IE has been configured for my hi-speed cable connection. I tried the online activation wizard and was told that no internet connection was available. So, I double-clicked Internet Explorer and - BAM! - I'm online without any problems at all. I can surf, download, whatever; but still the activation wizard reports no connection. After a bit of research, I found that activation uses ports 80 and 443. So I tested 'em to see if they were open, and 443 was closed! Weird for a new install. So I went into Network Settings, and manually set both ports to be open and set 'em up in the firewall too. But still, the activation wizard says I have no connection even though I can do all things web related 100% of the time, with no problems, and no slowness. I ended up using the activate by phone option, but in case this happens again, what the heck was going on here?!?!?! Thanx!

hd2k