I have a similar problem which appears to be OS specific.
On FF2.0.0.11 (and previous versions) running on OSX10.4.11 when I have a copy of PHPSESSID set from the main site I cannot access the site nor the admin pages.
If I go to the admin pages, get the cookies set there, i can continue to access the admin pages with no problems, and I can access the blog once OK.
But once I have gone to the blog page, I cannot return to the admin pages using back buttons in same tab, nor open the pages in another tab, nor close tab and open either page.
Clearing the cookie allows me access again.
I can’t replicate this with same browser running on XP.
Any ideas?
(blog is blog.bibrik.com)