i have this problem too and hosting at byethost.com for free
http://209.190.27.142/index.php?/article/AA-00261
On free hosting sockets in php are disabled due to abuse.
This will cause the following functions to not work.
1) sending emails using a third part mail server (eg google apps , etc)
2) plugins that connect to the internet to check anything.
3) automatic update system in scripts that download files from the internet.
4) and generic function in a script that requires the script to connect to the internet.
If sockets / curl is required please upgrade your account.
we must upgrade dude… 🙁
