Connection attempt to firmware update server was unsuccessful. The network connection timed out

Question

Hi. I have recently updated my iTunes to version 10.5.0.142 and cannot access the iTunes store after the upgrade. I have checked all the support articals and tried uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes, ensured that the firewall,internet explorer etc are correctly configured. Any help would be appreciated.
Below my diagnostics results:
Connection attempt to firmware update server was unsuccessful.
The network connection timed out.
Microsoft Windows 7 x64 Business Edition (Build 7600)
Dell Inc. Latitude E6520
iTunes 10.5.0.142
QuickTime not available
FairPlay 1.13.35
Apple Application Support 2.1.5
iPod Updater Library 10.0d2
CD Driver 2.2.0.1
CD Driver DLL 2.1.1.1
Apple Mobile Device 4.0.0.96
Apple Mobile Device Driver 1.57.0.0
Bonjour 3.0.0.10 (333.10)
Gracenote SDK 1.9.3.494
Gracenote MusicID 1.9.3.106
Gracenote Submit 1.9.3.136
Gracenote DSP 1.9.3.44
iTunes Serial Number 0034AABC03B14CA8
Current user is an administrator.
The current local date and time is 2011-11-05 23:04:22.
iTunes is not running in safe mode.
WebKit accelerated compositing is enabled.
HDCP is supported.
Core Media is supported.
Video Display Information
NVIDIA, NVIDIA NVS 4200M  
Intel Corporation, Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
**** External Plug-ins Information ****
No external plug-ins installed.
iPodService 10.5.0.142 (x64) is currently running.
iTunesHelper 10.5.0.142 is currently running.
Apple Mobile Device service 3.3.0.0 is currently running.
**** Network Connectivity Tests ****
Network Adapter Information
Adapter Name: {D16D8541-B70F-4DD7-A7C6-32B8EC55622C}
Description: Cell C
IP Address: 197.105.149.240
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway: 0.0.0.0
DHCP Enabled: No
DHCP Server:
Lease Obtained: Thu Jan 01 02:00:00 1970
Lease Expires: Thu Jan 01 02:00:00 1970
DNS Servers: 41.50.20.29
  41.50.20.61
Adapter Name: {37C32779-B216-4D52-80FA-B4C3DF705DF3}
Description: DW1530 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card
IP Address: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway: 0.0.0.0
DHCP Enabled: No
DHCP Server:
Lease Obtained: Thu Jan 01 02:00:00 1970
Lease Expires: Thu Jan 01 02:00:00 1970
DNS Servers:
Adapter Name: {6ADC43CF-4031-4D31-9B46-2BF2867B8E09}
Description: Intel(R) 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection
IP Address: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway: 0.0.0.0
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server:
Lease Obtained: Thu Jan 01 02:00:00 1970
Lease Expires: Thu Jan 01 02:00:00 1970
DNS Servers:
Active Connection: Cell C
Connected: Yes
Online:  Yes
Using Modem: Yes
Using LAN: No
Using Proxy: No
SSL 3.0 Support: Enabled
TLS 1.0 Support: Enabled
Firewall Information
Windows Firewall is on.
iTunes is enabled in Windows Firewall.
Connection attempt to Apple web site was successful.
Connection attempt to browsing iTunes Store was successful.
Connection attempt to purchasing from iTunes Store was successful.
Connection attempt to iPhone activation server was successful.
Connection attempt to firmware update server was unsuccessful.
The network connection timed out.
Connection attempt to Gracenote server was successful.
Last successful iTunes Store access was 2011-11-05 22:37:41.

Answer 1

Finally found a solution:
For PC users, before reinstalling, try this:
Start-> Programs -> Accessories -> (Right Click On Command Prompt) ->Run as Administrator
then type in:
netsh winsock reset
hit enter, restart PC, open iTunes. Hopefully fixed.