itunes on my new alienware laptop acts as if the computer is not connected. (which it is) can not sign in with my itunes username and password. itunes help even pops up with "your computer is not connected to the internet"....

so in other words, I can NOT sign in on my account, much less authorize this laptop. can't even access help. have downloaded the latest itunes software, checked my firewall settings etc.... (the itunes help window even opens up with "itunes help is unavailable because your computer is not connected to the internet". granted I am basically computer illiterate, in other words if something isnt working my knowledge is pretty limited with tweaking things. I need some help!