Cannot Connect, Any programs other than FF Options

[smoke]

Hey guys. Not a single program on my computer will connect to the Internet. The only thing that will connect is web browsers. Things like AIM, Skype, Y! Messenger, and Limewire won't connect no matter what I do. I've searched high and low over the Internets, and I get the same answer. Everyone says it's my Firewall. It's not. I've disabled the firewall, made sure all those programs were allowed to connect, and everything. It's nothing with my Internet because my desktop works fine. This is just an issue with my laptop. I use it more because I like to watch cable on my big ass HDTV while surfing the web. Its OS is Windows XP.

Any ideas? This is killing me. I'm very tech savvy and I can usually figure out whats wrong with my computer and fix it in minutes, but this has me stumped. It's probably something really simple and I'm just over analyzing the problem.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Jghelfi]

it may be because a program is OUT DATED...

Try installing the Newest Verison of IE and then try it.. if it doesnt work then type in your IP ADDRESS in the URL bar in IE or any internet program you use like this..

http://123.456.7.8

but replace those numbers with your IP..

if you dont know what your IP is, then go to CONTROL PANEL and there go to Network connections, and go to your 2nd Connection and double click.. GO TO SUPPORT and there it will show you EVERYTHING you need to know..