Tim_axe
Thanx for the info on pinging.

Yeah, as I said at the start of this thread, I really have this gut feeling this thing is related to AltaVista traversal.

I've gone into Norton "Intrusion Detection", Configure, Instrusion Dectection tab, Advanced and uncecked the altavista traversal box. It says "uncheck signatures Intrusion Detection should not monitor" BUT surprise, surprise, I still cannot access altavista. Have I done all I should?

I am wondering if Windows XP could be blocking this thing? I doubt it cos I do not have the Windows firewall activiated, only Norton but who knows?

Does anyone at all know?

I've emailed Symantec. I can't beleive that I have to wait 5 days to get a reply from them after havng spent $70US on the 2005 Internet Security software. I wonder what they will come up with.