Installing Corona SDK on Windows 8.1

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

I downloaded this (CoronaSDK-2013.2100) today, with no installation errors or warnings. But when I try to invoke Corona by double clicking on the shortcut on the Win desktop, it prompts me for my ID and pwd, but then I get these err msgs:

Prompts me to login, and tells me that I don’t have internet access (but I’m able to use my browser without any issues - to any internet site, even Corona Labs):

Then it tells me that the installation is corrupt and I should reinstall.

I cannot believe that something so simple as just starting up Corona would fail so quickly, so I’m guessing that maybe it’s not supported on Win 8.1? Or what else could it be?

EDIT: I see here http://docs.coronalabs.com/guide/start/systemReqs/index.html that Windows 8 is supported, but maybe that’s just 8.0 and not 8.1?

I’m still getting familiar with 8.1, so I don’t know all it’s quirks yet (it has lots!).  

Thanks for any suggestions!

#2

I have solved my own problem. It turned out that it wasn’t specifically Win 8.1 that was the culprit. It was the combination of my new HP laptop and new (for me) Win 8.1 with Norton Security (trial version) factory installed.

If when attempting to invoke the Simulator the Corona error messages had said “check your firewall security settings” instead of “check your internet connection”, then I would have more easily realized where the problem was.

After de-installing Norton (and invoking Windows Defender instead), it’s now working just fine!

#3

I have solved my own problem. It turned out that it wasn’t specifically Win 8.1 that was the culprit. It was the combination of my new HP laptop and new (for me) Win 8.1 with Norton Security (trial version) factory installed.

If when attempting to invoke the Simulator the Corona error messages had said “check your firewall security settings” instead of “check your internet connection”, then I would have more easily realized where the problem was.

After de-installing Norton (and invoking Windows Defender instead), it’s now working just fine!