Can bad weather cause internet issues?

What would cause some programs to act as if there is no Internet connection when there is a connection.?

• One of my computers running XP Home SP3 with all updates is having issues with Internet connection on most of the programs. IE8 connects and browses with no problem, however just about all the others indicate no Internet connection. Programs like google chrome, adobe reader, real player, McAfee updates and so on. I had thought it was and issue with McAfee so I uninstalled it and its firewall. I have tried turning off the windows firewall and still no luck. Security Center indicates that there is more than one firewall installed, but I can not find any, or do not know where to look for it. I have been spending hours comparing all kinds of setting with another home computer having no issues. I could not find any setting that were different. I don't know what else to do. I will be very thankful for any help resolving this issue.

• Answer:

  possible virus that is blocking external connections. could also be that some of the programs are running in work offline mode, to solve this you need to go into internet explorer, go to file and check the work offline mode is unticked, if it is unticked, tick it, then go to it again and untick it, if that dont work, ive no idea sorry