IE isn't working properly

Hi,
My laptop is operating on Window ME and for some reasons IE won't let me get access to certain site, i.e. hotmail login, window update, MSN messenger and certain school's website. Other than those site listed, I can get access to websites.
I'm currently using the school's ethernet port and my roommate's IE is working just fine. The message I get while trying to get access to those sites were "cannot find server". The messenger message was "we were unable to sign you in to the .NET Messenger SErvice, possibly because of a problem with your internet connection. Please try again later. 0x81000370" while Aim and Yahoo! messenger are working just fine. Please help.

n301218

 

I would copy and paste that error into Google.com.

 

I did that, but the result from the search was helpful but I can't get access to the member service nor the passport. The message from both page were the page cannot be displayed. Something I have noticed is that if it's a secure site, I can't get access. Does that means that it's not the IE, it might be my laptop?