I have a friend that is using Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit version.

mIRC v7.17 freezes when trying to connect. it doesn't switch to not responding but simply freezes.

things we have tried
turning off av and firewall
running as admin..
fresh install of mirc


old 6.35 version works with no problems.

Another odd thing is one using a socket connection. you start one instance and it freezes on local

start another without closing the first it proceeds through the server socket and freezes.

freezes on a fresh install with nothing loaded as well

I've never encountered this problem before. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated