I can't quite put my finger on when, but making a ftp connection from
explorer.exe seems to have stopped working....

I am running Vista Business 32bit SP1.
If i try and open any ftp location, secure or anonymous from within windows
explorer, i get the error window, which reads:

"FTP Folder Error

Windows cannot access this folder. Make sure you typed the file name
correctly and that you have permission to access the folder.

Details:
A connection with the server could not be established."

I have tried with "Use Passive FTP (for firewall and DSL modem
compatibility)" and "Enable folder view (outside of Internet Explorer)" boxes
checked and unchecked.
I have disabled the Windows firewall to ensure that it is not blocking the
ports.
None of these make any difference.

It would seem that the connect request doesn't leave the computer. If i
watch my ftp server monitor window, there is no connect at all.
No errors appear in the event logs.

However, if i run ftp.exe from a dos window, this works fine and i can
connect and transfer files to a server.

I don't really want to start rolling back, because i don't know when it
stopped working and i don't want to have to rebuild the computer...

Does anyone have any ideas? I've run out!