>No. I am using Opera 9.52 build 10108
>I don't intend to upgrade it in the near future. (I can't stand their frequncy of update after update)

As this is browser specific, the problem seems to be related to the use of Opera. The only thing I could recommend for now would be an upgrade. Unless, there would be an external factor which would affect that.

>Yes.

>I will check it out with my firewall setting.

This can also be related to one specific browser only. If you experience the same with both browsers, then, the problem would be caused by an external factor. Otherwise, it might be related to a setting in the browser.