Q: Unable to access iTune store after adding it to new computer

Background - I got a virus on my Windows computer and everything had to be 'retuned to factory settings' to get rid of it. This seems to mean that my computer is treated as 'new', and it isn't recognised anymore.

When I got my computer back I added iTunes and tried to authorise the computer. I've been getting the 'We could not complete your iTunes store request' error message for three days! I know the Apple ID and password are correct as iTunes is working fine on my iPhone (through the same internet connection).

Things I have tried after reading (lots) of suggestions in the support communities:

• Authorised computers - I don't have more than five authorised computers.
• Anti virus software - I checked that iTunes is on my McAfee list of ok programs. I also turned my firewall off for five mins to really check it wasn't blocking it.
• Diagnostics - I ran this and everything came back ok.
• Proxy settings - Followed the step by step instrustions to check settings http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1490 I also tried the program command option to reset it for Windows.
• Date stamp - this is correct.
• User - I'm logged in as an Administrator
• Restart - I have shut down the computer several times to try to get things to take effect.

What's interesting is that if I put the wrong password into iTunes it gives me an 'incorrect password' error message - so this seems like it is able to 'talk' to iTunes?

Does anyone have a suggestion of what I am missing? I have just been sent this, but as I'm not confident about deleting things, is it a good idea?

1. Close iTunes.

2. Delete the iTunesPrefs.xml file from C:Users+user name+AppDataRoamingApple ComputeriTunes.

3. Delete the iTunesPrefs.xml file from C:Users+user name+AppDataLocalApple ComputeriTunes.

4. Launch iTunes & follow the setup prompts.