No internet connection... but I do (sort of)

I think it all started when I tried in install Windows Live Essentials. Now I barely have an internet connection (can't see network drives) browser and email work., Icon on taskbar says "no internet connection" I've tried to go back to a restore point and that doesn't work as it says something is blocking like an antivirus program and I get the error 0x80070005 I uninstalled Norton Internet Security 2012 and tried to install Microsoft Security Essentials. Couldn't update virus definitions. I tried setting up and new user account. No go. Still couldn't connect. I'm typing this on my laptop connected to the same router so I don't think that it's the router no modem. I tried to connect the computer directly to the modem and still no go. I'm at my wits end. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chuck