Network Connection To Store Timed Out??? Advise Extremely Appreciated!

Question

Hi everyone, I am/was thinking about buying an iPod Touch for myself and I thought I'd go ahead and get iTunes. I see everyone is having this problem, but I am in need of personal advise. Here are the diagnostics:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (Build 2600)
ByteSpeed LLC BYTSPDPC
iTunes 8.0.2.20
QuickTime 7.5.5
FairPlay 1.1.11
CD Driver 2.0.7.5
CD Driver DLL 2.1.1.1
Apple Mobile Device 2.1.2.7
Bonjour 1.0.5.11 (118.5)
iTunes Serial Number 93EC75DD8F622348
Current user is an administrator.
The current local date and time is 2008-12-02 20:40:21.
iTunes is not running in safe mode.
Video Display Information
Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
** External Plug-ins Information **
No external plug-ins installed.
** Network Connectivity Tests **
Network Adapter Information
Adapter Name: {1E16CCA7-F65B-4791-B568-ECC7BF63CF8C}
Description: Intel(R) 82566DC-2 Gigabit Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport
IP Address: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
Lease Obtained: Tue Dec 02 20:17:09 2008
Lease Expires: Wed Dec 03 20:17:09 2008
DNS Servers: 192.168.1.1
192.168.1.1
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: Enabled
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.
iTunes has never successfully accessed iTunes store.
** CD/DVD Drive Tests **
LowerFilters: Afc (1.0.0.2), PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0),
UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.0.7.5),
D: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H62N, Rev CL00
Drive is empty.
** iPod/iPhone Connectivity Tests **
iPodService 8.0.2.20 is currently running.
iTunesHelper 8.0.2.20 is currently running.
Apple Mobile Device service 2.12.33.0 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:
Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller. Device is working properly.
** iPhone/iPod Touch Sync Tests **
No iPhone or iPod found.
Thanks =)

Answer 1

I have found that previously existing Norton suites (even after they have been successfully uninstalled) can come back from the dead and block certain network resources. I recently came across a Vista system that had just this happen after an iTunes 8 update. Running the Norton Removal Tool restored access to the iTunes music store.