ITunes Upgrade results in no access to ITunes Store

Question

I've recently downloaded the latest version of Itunes (9.2.1.5) as since doing so I cannot access the ITunes Store. Prior to downloading this laterst version, I had no trouble with access. I've tried deleting the download and re-installing it, and I've tried just reinstalling it to "repair" any damaged or fragmented files. Nothing helps. I've tried rebooting, I've tried closing Itunes and re-opening, and I've tried clicking on Podcasts and then on Itunes Store. Again, nothing helps. The error I get is:
"ITunes could not connect to the Itunes Store. Network Connection timed out."
I ran the diagnostic and my connection to the internet was fine, the only red line failure I got was:
"Secure link to Itunes Store failed."
Everything else was fine. Again, I've never had this problem on this machine with any previous downloads.
I performed the download Saturday evening, so I thought that maybe Itunes Store was off line for maintenance or some other reason. But, at mid-day on Sunday, I'm still having the same issue, so I doubt it is the store. I've tried everything I can find on-line, and the bottom line is, nothing lets me have access to the Store.
In downloading the newer version of Itunes, I wasn't able to access it by opening the Itunes application. When I opened Itunes, I would get the dialogue box asking if I wanted to download the latest version of Itunes. When I clicked on the response to download the latest version, the dialogue box disappeared, but nothing was downloaded. So, I went to the Itunes webpage and downloaded from there.
I was doing other things on the computer while Itunes downloaded the new version, and it could have sat waiting for a response for some time. But, I had an active connection to the internet the whole time, and have not been without access since.
Basically, I'd like to know how to regain access to the Itunes Store with this latest version of Itunes. As a fallback, I'd like to revert back to my latest version that worked fine.
I'd be grateful for any help you can offer.
These are my system specs and the results of the last diagnostic.
Thanks
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition (Build 7600)
HP-Pavilion GN553AA-ABA m9040n
iTunes 9.2.1.5
QuickTime 7.6.6
FairPlay 1.8.20
Apple Application Support 1.3
iPod Updater Library 9.2d4
CD Driver 2.2.0.1
CD Driver DLL 2.1.1.1
Apple Mobile Device 3.1.0.62
Apple Mobile Device Driver not found.
Bonjour 2.0.2.0
Current user is not an administrator.
The current local date and time is 2010-08-29 11:22:13.
iTunes is not running in safe mode.
WebKit accelerated compositing is enabled.
HDCP is not supported.
Video Display Information
NVIDIA, NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
** External Plug-ins Information **
No external plug-ins installed.
** Network Connectivity Tests **
Network Adapter Information
Description: USB Wireless 802.11 b/g Adaptor
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: Wed Dec 31 19:00:00 1969
Lease Expires: Wed Dec 31 19:00:00 1969
DNS Servers:
Description: Intel(R) 82566DC-2 Gigabit Network Connection
IP Address: 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
Lease Obtained: Sun Aug 29 11:04:07 2010
Lease Expires: Mon Aug 30 11:04:07 2010
Active Connection: LAN Connection
Connected: Yes
Online: Yes
Using Modem: No
Using LAN: Yes
Using Proxy: No
SSL 3.0 Support: Enabled
TLS 1.0 Support: Disabled
Firewall Information
Windows Firewall is on.
iTunes is enabled in Windows Firewall.
Connection attempt to Apple web site was unsuccessful.
The network connection timed out.
Connection attempt to iTunes Store was unsuccessful.
The network connection timed out.
Secure connection attempt to iTunes Store was unsuccessful.
The network connection timed out.
Secure connection attempt to iPhone activation server unsuccessful.
The network connection timed out.
Last successful store access was 2010-08-28 19:24:40.
** CD/DVD Drive Tests **
LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0),
UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.2.0.1),
F: HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GSA-H60L, Rev DC08
Drive is empty.
** Device Connectivity Tests **
iPodService 9.2.1.5 is currently running.
iTunesHelper 9.2.1.5 is currently running.
Apple Mobile Device service 3.1.0.0 is currently not running.
Universal Serial Bus Controllers:
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2934. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2935. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2936. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2937. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2938. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2939. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 293A. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 293C. Device is working properly.
FireWire (IEEE 1394) Host Controllers:
LSI 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller. Device is working properly.
Most Recent Devices Not Currently Connected:
iPod shuffle (2nd Generation) running firmware version 1.0.4
Serial Number: 4H83648V3FL
** Device Sync Tests **
No iPod, iPhone, or iPad found.

Answer 1

Are you running any of Symantec's (Norton) or McAfee's Internet security products or anything similar, or an antivirus/antispyware application? There have been reports that some such utilities treat an upgrade to iTunes as a new application and can block the application from connecting. So you have to go in and reset the utility to allow iTunes. The same thing can happen if you upgrade the security product (this has particularly been a problem with recent McAfee upgrades).
Check the settings for your utility. If iTunes is still listed, remove and re-enable the exception for iTunes. Consult your utility's documentation for the appropriate procedure. If you have Norton, you can find instructions for that utility on Symantec's web page for iTunes. You may also need to check the built-in Windows firewall as well.
Hope this helps.