Issues with Minecraft (java-based game) following installation of NIS 2012 and Norton Online Family

Hello all!

 

I'm trying to understand and resolve unique errors that my son is getting when attempting to play Minecraft in multiplayer mode. When he goes this route, he get the following error within Minecraft -

Internal Client Error: Java.net.SocketException: Permission Denied: Connect

 

He can, however, play it in single-player mode (files are on the PC).

 

Background -

 

We have an older Dell desktop with Norton Internet Security (pre-2012) and NOF installed, primarily to control the number of hours spent logged on. Neither interfered with our son's ability to play Minecraft.

 

He recently purchased a newer Dell (Alienware) desktop system with 64bit Windows 7, that was initially bundled with McAfee. He moved his Minecraft files over and was able to play in multiplayer mode. Since McAfee was only a 45 day license, and our preference for NOF, we removed McAfee and installed NIS 2012 and NOF. Since then, he's been getting the above error in Minecraft multiplayer mode.

 

What I've done -

uninstalled and reinstalled Java (current version)

updated NIS firewall rules to allow minecraft.exe and all instances of Java (jav*.exe) to pass through the firewall.

I've temporarily disabled the firewall, and the error persists.

 

I've gone to the Sun/Java website to test the version of Java on the PC, and the test fails, with the following info:

Application Error
ClassNotFoundException
testJava2_1.TestVMApplet.class

 

Doing some research on this, I have seen suggestions to roll back to an older version of Java, but I'm reluctant to try this since I've seen indications that Windows 7 only works with the current version of Java.

 

So, is my problem with NIS 2012 / NOF? Or Java? Or both? What next step should I take?

 

Thanks!