Internet explorer/Messenger don't connect while other browsers do

1. Close messenger

2. Go to the task manager (ctrl+shift+esc) / processes, and "end process" msnmsgr.exe

3. Reset IE (don't do this if you use IE as your browser, I don't thus didn't mind resetting everything) IE->Tools->Internet Options->Advanced->Reset

4. Re-open messenger.

Might not work for you. It did for me! If it doesn't, unchecking the "Automatically detect settings" box from Tools->Internet Options->Connections->Lan settings, might do the trick.