Error: Network Connection Timed Out

I am beyond ****** off at the moment. My iTunes was working perfectly until two weeks ago, and now it insists my Network Connection Timed Out when I try to access the store or update podcasts.

It can't be my internet connection, because as you can see, I'm able to access the internet. For some reason it's this specific copy of iTunes (7.5), because the iT7 downstairs works perfectly. Of course, since Apple are so fecking stingy, I can't add a few files from there without wiping everything off my iPod.

So here's the run-down:

I'm using a Dell Inspiron 8600, Windows XP, browsing with Firefox and attempting to load the latest podcasts onto my iPod Shuffle. I don't give a toss about downloading songs, I just want to update my podcasts without having to search the net for the source file.

I ran the Network Diagnostics and it insists the Conneciton to iTunes failed, suggesting I adjust my cable (i don't have one - it's wireless) or flush my dns settings (which i've done several times).

I found a thread on these forums from March and tried every solution:

- uninstalling and reinstalling itunes... doesn't work.
- opening Internet Explorer 7, then opening iTunes... doesn't work.
- searching for a host file and removing the phobos apple line... doesn't work. The phobos line wasn't there
- using itunes 7... doesn't work.
- flushing my dns... doesn't work.
- turning off my firewall.... doesn't work.
- avoiding clashes with mcafee or zone alarm... doesn't work, cos i don't use those

I think it's appalling that I've tried all this, and i'm still no closer to knowing what the problem is, and that Apple failed to respond to any of the other people's problems in the earlier thread. And that i spent about ten minutes signing up to this fecking forum just to ask for help. Surely support should be readily available to anyone!

Can anybody help me? In the other thread, people found alternative sites for buying music, but has anyone got an alternative, ipod-compatible podcasting program?