Windows Media Player: Info Center View

[badadjective]

Whenever I play an MP3, DVD movie, or CD audio, I try to get Media Player to show information on the current item that is playing. For some reason, Media Player refuses to connect to the WindowsMedia.com site to show information. Instead, I get the following screen (see attached screenshot).

Vista Home Premium x64 SP1 running on HP Pavilion DV4-1125nr Laptop.

Notes:
1) I am NOT trying to get Media Player to update my files. Simply want it to display information on the screen for the currently playing media.
2) Tried turning firewall on and off, no help.
3) If I hit the Media Guide tab in Media Player it has no problem connecting to the interent and displaying the website. It is only in the "Now Playing" tab that I cannot see information.
4) I tried to Google this problem and have not found anyone with this issue or a solution.
5) I have the latest Windows updates and drivers installed.
6) I have no funky tweaks or network settings installed.
7) I have already tried a fresh install of Vista, with no resolution.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[badadjective]

I am assuming no one else has experienced this problem from the lack of replies and since I have not found anything remotely similar to this on Google. Does anyone have any thoughts on what it might be? Any help is appreciated, thank you!