32 bit browsers not working

Please please help...new laptop with WIndows 7 was browsing fine until recently, now none of the 32 bit browsers I need to use (FF, GC IE) are working, giving a standard error 105 or 'server not found' error message but IE 64 bit is working.

At the same time also having problems updating spybot, defender and malwarebytes.

Cannot install avira but did manual updates on the other programs and a Trend Micro HouseCall scan, all reporting no major problems.

Tried the usual suggestion of opening in safe mode/creating shortcut for IE 32 bit, none of which makes any difference.

PLEASE HELP!

Have you just tried installing Defender on the laptop? I might be wrong but did not think defender was supported under Win 7.

it was already on, I was running AVG but unistalled it when experienced problems with it.

Should also add that I have checked the LAN settings for the browsers, all clicked to automatically detect...

...also checked that firewall is not preventing access...

Does Network and Sharing Center tell you that you are connected to the Internet? Have you installed any Adobe products recently that installed the Bonjour Service? If you see more than 1 active network, disable the one that you don't recognize. Click on 'change adapter settings' to make sure your adapter is enabled. Unplug your cable modem or DSL modem and your router (if any). Plug in your modem and wait for steady lights then plug in your router. Open a command prompt and type ipconfig /release and hit enter then type ipconfig /renew and hit enter.

Also, one other thing, can you recover your system using System Restore? Try that and the above mentioned posts first. It's possible you may need to do a reinstall here. It's not hard to do.

Do as Roban suggests, rebooting the modem and router, if any, should help.

Also if you do use a router, be sure you have the latest firmware installed too.

Sometimes an uninstall and reinstall of the PCs network adapter helps too. Also, check to be sure you have the latest driver for the adapter.

Windows Defender does come with Win7 but is disabled if you install Microsoft Security Essentials (which has proven to be a very capable anti-malware solution, BTW).

I would also ensure your Java is current and working - How do I test whether Java is working on my computer?

Defender ships with Windows 7, but if you install MSE as your AV, it will be deactivated. So if you buy a new PC and don't want the crap demo AV that came with it, you can remove the AV and still have some protection until you get another AV, which should be soon after you remove the old (crapware) one.

What did you install or do prior to it not working?