I also get error 0x8100301 AND I know why.
I used Spybot to search my P.C. as I do all the time. Having not realised I had installed SPYWARE with MSN Messenger Plus! 3 (believing the agree statement was a EULA) I removed the spyware from my P.C.
However, if you remove the spyware with an automated tool (Spybot, Adaware etc...) it damages Winsock BEYOND REPAIR.
P.S. Happy Belated Canada Day Patchou (From a fellow Canadian).