Cannot Connect To Windows Live Services, WLM: Error 81000306

One day i tried logging in using windows live messenger and got an error 81000306. I've tried disabling autotuning as prescribed by some websites but it has not worked. Tried resetting winsock, forwarding ports for the .net messenger, repaired Windows live messenger, and still no go. I ran the windows live messenger tests and they all passed, so it's weird that i cannot connect.

I've also noticed that when logging on to sites that use the windows Live ID, the pages will not load. Status indicated on the browser is that it says " Connected to logon.live.com " but dOes nothing else. no webpage is loaded and it does this until the connection times out. This happens when signing in to bungie.net or xbox.com as well. I also have my xbox 360 connected to the same modem (without a router, i just take the ethernet cord and plug it to whichever i wanna use), and it can connec to Windows messenger on the dashboard ok.

Have restarted and restarted, have power cycled the modem, even reseated my D-Link ethernet pci card. I have not made any large changes, other than i am using Open DNS, and it's updater since my ISP has dynamic IP, and i have turned off UAC. I've done every troubleshooting step i can think of (I worked for tech support for a computer manufacturer, so i've pretty much used up everything that training has given me and my 2 years experience in that field). All other messenger programs work. Tried using pidgin, with the same result, i can connect with all other IMs except windows live.