Internet Explorer wont connect to any URL

I have a problem which has reared its head with regard to IE6 not connecting to ANY URL. The home page is set correctly and the connection is via a WIFi link to an ADSL router. Outlook Express happily sends and receives email, and my old desktop PC with Win 98SE browses quite happily. The problem is with a Dell Laptop, brand new with Win XP (home I think) but I dont think that should matter, which WAS accessing internet quite happily and now whenever IE6 is opened, the commentary says connecting to site 1.0.0.0 and errors with Server Not Found!

Anybody any ideas??

Malcolm @ MGT Systems

 

First thing I want you to do is go and locate your hosts file. Not hosts.sam , it will be a file with no extension (Go to control panel / folder options/ view and set to show hidden and system files and uncheck hide known file extensions)
Now locate C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\Hosts
Right click and choose open with notepad (If necessary , single left click to select, hold down shift key and right click and choose open with/notepad. Make sure always use is not checked)
You should see something like this

In fact, if you have anything else, post it here.