Python 2.7 import socket urllib fails to load, module not found

[wdtate at comcast.net]

> 
> So, on my system I get:
> 
> ActivePython 2.7.0.2 (ActiveState Software Inc.) based on
> 
> Python 2.7 (r27:82500, Aug 23 2010, 17:18:21) [MSC v.1500 32 bit 
> 
> (Intel)] on win32
> 
> Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
> 
>  >>> import urllib
> 
>  >>> import socket
> 
>  >>>
> 
> 
> 
> What does your system show?
> 
> 
> 
> Emile
> 
>From cmd prompt - I get this:
Python 2.7.3 (default, Apr 10 2012, 23:31:26) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import urllib
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
  File "C:\Python27\lib\urllib.py", line 26, in <module>
    import socket
  File "C:\Python27\lib\socket.py", line 47, in <module>
    import _socket
ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found

I also get that if I attempt to import socket.

NOTE this does not happen when I'm in the pythonwin IDE.