Can you try something for me? Long shot.....
- Open Control Panel.
- Double-click Internet Options.
- Click on the tab Connections to bring it to the front.
- Check Never dial a connection.
- Click on button LAN Settings...
- UNcheck Automatically detect settings (unchecking this speeds up IE launches).
- UNcheck Use automatic configuration script.
- UNcheck Use a proxy server (unless you want an explicit setting).
- Click OK to exit Local Area Network settings.
- Click OK to exit Internet Options.