I had something similar happen. When I first got my computer and got the internet going(I use aol), for the longest time I could not get on the internet unless I turned Norton off.(Not safe and I hope I won't pay for it later). Then one day I had to reformat my computer and somehow that next time around when I connected to the internet, Norton recognized it and said "made rules for the following program" or something to that affect. Since then I've been able to run internet and Norton thankfully.
Maybe this is related or maybe it was due to my lack of techyness. But if it wasn't me, you're not the only one who's suffered wierdness from this.