But I bet something was written to your hosts file preventing you from accessing Google. Could happen if you get a piece of spyware or adware or a trojan.

First thing I would do is download Hoster. It's a tool that allows you to edit your Hosts file, and can be found here:

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/816-hoster.html

Next, scan your system for baddies. If your host file has been tampered with by a program,it's usually a sign something bad is residing there. Do an AV scan, a trojan scan and an adware scan. (Go to the Virus & Security alerts forum for a list of free and free trial programs. Don't be surprised if you need to do several scans before locating the culprit).

Once you've found the baddie, you can use Hoster to insert the original MS hosts file to your system. Or, better yet, learn about the host file as a security tool and replace your host file with a better one, designed to prevent your computer from getting infected again. Several are currently on the internet.

HTH