Cryptographic Services

I have several little problems that are starting to add up big.

Windows defender never started
Windows Firewall never started
I dont know if it's related but Cryptographic services shows in the event log repeatedly "terminated unexpectedly".
(Because of all that I installed a symantec antivirus.)
I uninstalled my lexmark printer and it will now not reinstall.
Wont read my camera memory either (my vista laptop will.)
My network reports that there is no internet access but it works for web access.

I was having BSOD frequently before but have resolved that with new memory. Maybe I need a reinstall?

A lot of people reporting such problems did an upgrade rather than a fresh custom install... perhaps you could give it a go with a custom install (remembering to back up everything you need first as it will reformat the disk your boot partition is assigned to!)

There was also that silverlight and the last update wouldn't install.
Anyway looks like an online-updated custom install worked. (it didn't wipe the HD it just collected the stuff and kept it in windows.old)
This was a custom system so I started with a clean custom install which left me with some problems like no sound. That was resolved with an online updated .... maybe it was an upgrade install then, I don't remember.
Thanks :)