permissioned denied fsockopen but not browser

[tinker]

I have a script that opens web pages with fsockopen. It usually works but sometimes gets "permission denied" on fsockopen but I can go successfully to the page with my browser. The browser obviously does more than my script. Does anyone know what strategy browsers employ to get around this problem? Do they try additional ports or HTTP versions, etc.? Thanks.

[Installer]

Use a tool that captures HTTP request headers sent by the browser, then mimic them.

[tinker]

Thanks but I have tried some of that. It also assumes only one request is attempted by browser (which seems unlikely especially considering redirection etc.) Did you have a tool in mind that can capture multiple requests?

Thanks.

[Installer]

ieHTTPHeaders - Plugin for IE (doesn't work with IE7).
Ethereal - Stand_alone.

Both are great tools and, yes, they'll handle multiple requests.