On WindowsXP or Ubuntu i have error: Problems Communicating with Bitcoin RPC

[niemivh]

I think I might be cursed.  I've tried for hours to get a solo-bitcoin mining operation setup here and either on WinXP or Ubuntu (with the same hardware, just swapping HDs) I get "Problems Commuicating with Bitcoin RPC". 

When i go to an online port scanner my 8333 and 8332 ports are closed although I can run and connect the Bitcoin client on Windows just fine, just not use the 'mining' tool to connect to the network, it seems.

Is anyone else having this problem?