Although I have an active internet connection I can't open any web pages in either Internet Explorer or open up e-mails in Outlook Express

Try these suggestions: Clear out your cache in IE.
Update both your Outlook Express AND you IE.

Perform a virus scan on your computer, a disc defrag and a scan disc. It could very well be due to a corrupted application file or other type of file.

Do those things and let us know what happens.