Unable to Open any Browsers and Access the Net

[Whatsanaxiom]

Hi, about a week ago I had a strange thing happen to me.  After coming home one day and turning on my PC, I was unable to access anything on the internet through my web browsers.  I can still play games like World of Warcraft, Left 4 Dead, and I can communicate to people through the valve Steam client (It has instant messanging features), and I can receive game updates, but my browsers do not work, I cannot open iTunes, and I can't get on any instant messanger programs.  IN short: Only my games can access the net.  This is the error message that my IE gives me when I run the diagnostic.  Upon a restart as it recommends, it does not fix the problem.

http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=error1xh3.jpg
http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=error2li1.jpg

PS: My stepdad runs a network on our comps and he has not done anything to mess with my internet.

[Broni]

Laptop, or desktop? Wired, or wireless connection? I assume, there is a router involved?

[Whatsanaxiom]

Laptop, or desktop? Wired, or wireless connection? I assume, there is a router involved?

Desktop, Windows XP, running McAfee anti virus with the firewall turned OFF, windows firewall OFF, wired connection to a router downstairs.

[Broni]

Turn off computer. Disconnect router, and modem from power source for 30 seconds.
Power them back on.
Restart computer.

If that doesn't work, bypass router, and connect computer straight to the modem.

If that doesn't work...
Go Start>Run (Start search in Vista), type in:
cmd
Click OK.

In Command Prompt window, type in following commands, and hit Enter after each one:
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Restart computer.

If that doesn't work...
Go Start>Run (Start search in Vista), type in:
cmd
Click OK.

At Command Prompt, type in:
netsh int ip reset reset.log
Hit Enter.
Type in:
netsh winsock reset catalog
Hit Enter.

Restart computer.


If that doesn't work...
Download, install, and run WinSockFix: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Network-Tweak/WinSockFix.shtml
Restart computer, and check again.