I am having a similar problem with TurboTax Premier, but I'm on Windows 10. I'm installing from a CD I bought at Costco, so TurboTax internet access is not through a web browser.
I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling, with and without the firewall and antivirus on, checking and unchecking the box to allow TurboTax to gather information. I've also tried changing my screen resolution to 100% (from the recommended 125%) and 800x600. I went through the steps in the To Troubleshoot a Windows Installation page in HeatherPLO's reply, including updating Windows. I even moved my computer to literally the desk right below our wifi router so it was about 2 feet away from the router.
When I install, it goes straight to the update, and I've been able to install the program updates. This tells me that I do have internet connection. I also know I have internet connection because while I'm trying all these combinations, I've also been looking for answers on TurboTax Community.
After completing the update installation, I click on the button to restart, and usually TurboTax just shuts down. It did restart 2 or 3 times.
After that, whether TurboTax restarts on its own or I start it, I always run into a dead end when I get to the Activate Purchase step. It always tells me I'm not connected to the internet, even though I had just been able to upload and install updates, and follow various TurboTax Community links. When I click on try again, sometimes I get the same screen, but eventually I get to a blank white screen with spinning blue dots. No matter how long I wait, and I've tried waiting for hours, those dots keep spinning.
When I shut down the TurboTax at that point, and restart it, I then gen an Error 42001, Could not connect to the update site, even though I've been able to download the updates every time I did the uninstall/reinstall cycle. If I click Try Again, it usually opens the Checking for Software Updates window, and sometimes goes back to the Error 42001 window, and sometimes goes to the You're not connected to the Internet Window that also says, To activate your purchase, you'll need to connect to the internet, even though I can go a web browser and download new pages.
Help!! What's going on??
