ok. tried to disable outpost under options; didn't work. Tried winsock xp fix and then tcpip xp repair; didn't work. and it does appear as though firefox is making connections. My router does have a firewall and it is turned off. It is a dsl modem router combo. Westell 327w. Have yet to try a system restore though.

Thanks for all of the help. Every one is being really great.