Timeout Issue with Windows XP SP2

[Guest]

Have Visual Studio.NET installed on Microsoft 2000 Professional OS. No issue
EVER with SQL connections - MDAC components too.
Purchased new laptop and have Windows XP Professional SP2 as OS. Nothing
but headaches with SQL connnections using Visual Studio.NET & MDAC Components.
(1) Continually getting System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException : Timeout
expired. The timeout period elapsed prior to completion of the operation or
the server is not responding. NOTE: Same code on 2000 Professional OS with
Visual Studio development and NEVER issue there.
Need to know what I need to update here (MDAC Components) or what to get
this to work. Extending connection timeout and doesn't fix. Can anything
ever work right @ MS?
Please advise.