Can't connect to X-Party Servers

[ProsperousOne]

Starting 2 days ago (and just a little too coincidintal:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...p;PHPSESSID=n)
I can no longer connect to either Empire nor Europoet poker servers on my laptop, but I can however still connect to Party Poker. However, I have no trouble connecting via my desktop and I'm using the same internet connection (lan for desktop, but wireless for router, both hooked to the same router).

I've not changed any hardware, and (to the best of my knowledge) have not upgraged/changed any firewall (or other) settings. (It's a company laption, so it possible they did a remote push while I was connected to work via VPN, but unlikely)..

I got cryptic support notes from both: Try removing all cookies, reboot (duuh), reinstall. Tried all 3 to no avail.

Empire also emailed that that I need to have ports open per the following:

"We use TCP protocol and the ports 2047, 2147 for communication. Please ask your network administrator or the person in charge of maintaining firewall configuration to open up these ports for outgoing and incoming traffic, or allow the application to access the internet."

Anyone have a clue?????

thx