I have the same problem. I'm currently running OS Windows Vista. Firefox seems to work fine, but IE or my AIM doesn't seem to be working. This goes for all places and ways I use the internet: Wireless at home, Connected at home VIA DSL, in my dorm room (connected through Ethernet), and as well as wireless in my school. This all happened recently (the past 2 days) ... The only thing I recall is downloading the latest version of AIM (6.5) and Windows Update.
I tried all the recommended steps above, nothing seems to work ...