You can format and re install an oem version of windows as many times as you need as long as it is on the same hardware. you need to reactivate, but...
I would wager that only first level support lost the ability, but that if you get kicked up the chain to actual techs, that they can see up and down...
Must be a beam/sat/gateway thing cause firefox, chrome, and ie all pull it up almost instantly from where I sit. Any chance you are running opera in...