Internet Explorer won't load web pages

So for this computer class I have to take at the college I have to use a program called SAM2007 to take all of the tests for the class. Not only did I have to shell out 40 bucks for a piece of cardboard with a key code on it in order to use the program, but it also only works on Internet Explorer (normally I use firefox). Whenever I try to load the page to register the software, I get the error page that usually comes up when you aren't connected to the internet. Then I tried loading google and it said that the web address wasn't correct...I tried upgrading my internet explorer to IE 8 and I'm still having the same problem. I don't think the issue is with my internet connection because everything works just fine with firefox. So how come IE won't work and how can I fix it?

thanks in advance

Lignator

Just to state the obvious, have you checked the connection settings in IE?

Yes I did and everything looked fine to me. I also went to the help & support site for IE and their suggestions either didn't work, were pointless because I never use IE, or too drastic like doing a system restore. It seems really weird to me that IE won't work because Firefox works just fine.