I just reinstalled my PC. I have been using bitcoin since november 2010, and I can usually figure this stuff out for myself. I use armory, and I downloaded that first and imported my wallet. Then I downloaded the bitcoin client ver 0.8.1 64 bit, and it started up and said it was syncing. after an hour it hadn't downloaded a single block. I closed the client and reopened it, and even though I connect to the network with 8 active connections it won't start syncing again. doesn't even try. I uninstalled, deleted the bitcoin folder from %appdata%, rebooted, reinstalled... nothing. I'm at a loss as to what the problem is, It was working perfectly fine before I reinstalled, and Windows firewall is disabled, so I doubt it's a connection issue. Anyone have any ideas? Note: the client has been open for three hours as I write this and hasn't began the sync process.

edit: i have tried -addnode as well.

edit2: .05BTC reward to the person who helps me solve this. I know I should be patient. just thought I'd put it out ther.