Help with connection issues

Okay, my computer literacy is not that great but I do try to figure things out on my own. I have been having major problems trying to use any browsers except IE. I think I have IE 7. I have been able to use Firefox in the past and I downloaded Avast and was unable to use it after that. I have since uninstalled Avast and still can't use Firefox. When I did a Windows update, it upgraded me to IE 8 and it would not connect to the internet even though I had no problems using the internet otherwise (messengers, etc). So, I unistalled IE 8 and can connect using my older version of IE. I have tried downloading Google Chrome and Safari, both of those won't connect to the internet. I have tried installing limewire, that also won't connect to the internet.

I have googled so much stuff and ran anti virus programs and antimalware scans, got rid of a bunch of stuff and i still can't figure out what to do. Nothing seems to be working and I'm afraid to start messing with things that are going to mess up my computer more. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Karin

Try to disconnect the firewall and A/V see if that helps. If it does you should use something like Windows security essentials.

I've tried that too, it still doesn't work. I don't get why the old version of IE will work but nothing else will connect. I've checked the internet options and they all seem to have the same settings.

Thanks for the reply.

Way over 50% of browser problems are caused by the add on's. Disable the FF add on's. And then we hope.




Disable all add-ons in Firefox, Internet Explorer | Workers' Edge - CNET News