Try going to a restore point that was created before you had the problem. System Restore should be located in system tools under the start menu then accessories then system tools.

It could be that you have the settings on MSIE to be your default browser.

You'll find that setting in the MSIE "Tools" menu, "Internet Options", in the "Programs" tab.

no, it's been ages since MSIE was NOT my default browser.

neither firefox nor opera could put up any webpage. the error message indicates I'm not connected to the Internet, when I'm streaming music in my RealPlayer!

I've yet to try system restore suggested by Guest.

My friend had a similar problem with a Vista machine - he is a computer programmer. He has about five computers running all operating systems including a Beta of Windows 7. His vista machine had an update and all of a sudden his firefox wouldn't work. Uninstall the "automatic updates" and delete/reinstall firefox.

I've done uninstalling and reinstalling from a fresh installer download, too. I've even tried running Firefox in safe mode, disabling all add-ons, but still, it can't load any webpage.

I've also tried the system restore, back to as far before this automatic update happened. methinks VISTA is a very cruel OS. and I'm about to give up and grudgingly embrace MSIE.

Are you using a Proxy or Firewall? Are they configured to let the browser through?

I am in the UAE, and our ISP uses a proxy server to implement web filtering.

the only firewall I have up is the built-in Vista firewall. as I said, MSIE works well. it's only firefox and opera that isn't working.