I recently upgraded my win xp to sp2 so that the latest version of AVG could be installed. Did that a couple days ago and now my computer gives the windows startup chime at 3 am, and apparently shuts of the Zone Alarm and updates some of the software. I got up this morning and shut the danged thing down . Now there is a problem with browser operation. When I call up IE it gives me a server not found message. Can't get to anything in Favorites except Gmail. Weird Huh? Now for further puzzlement, when I go to Gmail it works ok , and if I select Web from the Gmail toolbar, it gives me a workable web connection. It is almost as if the firewall (shut off for testing) blocks most addresses or there is some problem finding the dns for anything but Gmail. This is using Verizon Aircard for the ISP , if that is important.

I would sure appreciate any good ideas on how to fix this situation.
TIA

See if it's the ZoneAlarm/Windows update issue:
http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html