Windows 7: need some serious help with my computer

my computer was working fine and perfect this morning, but all of a sudden i have like 10 different problems all at once and i have no idea whats going on. i will number my issues and then you can view the picture numerically as i go on

1. im unable to update my computer it just shows a big X

2. there is a shield next to my "shut down" button in the start menu, but it will not disappear even if i apply the so called "updates" after i start up my computer again

3. i have multiple PC issues on my toolbar, one says im unable to connect to the internet even though i am currently connected and the other one says my virus protection is turned off and i must turn it back on, both are lies.

4. when i go to the task bar to turn on my "turned off" virus protection, for some reason my system32 folder opens up

5. my windows media player (or any other player) is unable to play any music, on top of that i have no sound. my speakers work fine and all my settings are correct and fine, but no sound is coming through

6. my internet connection list is empty

7. my internet adapter list is empty

8. i am unable to open files



i ran norton antivirus, microsoft security essentials, and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
none of the scans found any viruses, spyware, or malware

im not a beginner when it comes to solving my PC issues, so i KNOW everything is hooked up fine, and all my drivers are all up to date and have already checked all my settings related to these issues

i dont wish to reformat my hard drive AGAIN so if anyone knows anything about all this, some help would be appreciated

Well, for starters, you don't want to have two real-time AVs like Norton and MSE running at the same time. Please uninstall one of them (I'm guessing MSE will be the one you uninstall since Norton cost money). Let us know what happens once you've done that.

And if it just suddenly happened, you should consider using System Restore. If you can't use it from within Windows 7, you can always boot from the Windows 7 DVD (or use the Recovery Console already there) and invoke System Restore from there.

I agree.

Try a system restore to see if this helps.

Pick whichever you prefer, MSE or Norton, only run one of them.
These 2 will likely not work together well.

Norton in particular does not like anything running along side, and does get very grouchy about it.
But this is true for the majority of AVs that are real time.

It also makes it much harder for them to their job effeciently. Simply better off with one or the other.


Also:

Get rid of LimeWire. Its bad news.


Start Windows in safe mode, and run a scan with Malwarebytes.


Where did you get your copy of Windows?

I have to agree with Wishmaster about LimeWire, although I usually don't say anything about it.

reboot your system and bring up in safe mode. scan for viruses and malware.

Yep, any time a customer is very insistent upon installing Limewire after I fix their PCs, I tell them that the second they do so, their warranty is void.

I'm sorry. Just saw that in your post.

oh sorry i forgot to mention this as well: i had MSE first, but since it did not find any viruses i tried removing it and adding norton. im well aware that i should not have 2 virus protection softwares running at the same time. problem is...when i try to uninstall MSE a message pops up that tells me i already uninstalled it and asks me if i want to remove it from my programs list.

well if i remove it from my program list i wont be able to uninstall it at all.

so alright...ill just remove the program and manually delete all the files if u want.

plz stop spamming "remove limewire" im WELL aware of what it is and what it does.

as for system restore well...