Installed XP - Cant get internet connection

I upgraded to XP Pro. Now I cannot get a connection to the internet. I'm running a cable modem. IE displays the THIS PAGE CANNOT BE DISPLAYED' window and Firefox gives a pop-up window which says the connection was refused. I can PING any ip address a get a reply. Everything looks fine in the "local area connection". I tried 'ipconfig release/renuw', I even went as far as installing an new NIC card thinking the hardware was bad. I am looking for any suggestions you have.... Help!!!

john

 

Start>Control Panel>Internet Options>Connections
Is the connection configured correctly and are the Internet Options set to use the cable modem connection to the Internet?

 

Did you actually 'Upgrade' from XP Home or something or did you do a clean install?

 

All the settings are correct. The original OS was Windows ME. I bought XP Pro and upgraded using the CD. A friend of mine who knows quite a bit about Windows was also stumped. We both spent hours trying to get connected.

 

I'd do a format and complete re-install. (not an upgrade)

 

Never could resolve the problem. I re-installed XP Pro and this time performed a reformat of the HD to NTFS. I'm convinced that whenever someone wants to upgrade an older PC to XP, do a clean install instead of an upgrade...

thanks for the help
john