Cannot connect to the Internet with HP Vista machine although it will ping, update,etc

Customer brought in computer - an HP Vista Premium machine, complaining of not being able to get on the internet and it running slow.  The network icon in the system tray had a warning message:"Connection Status unknown.  The dependency service or group failed to start."  Ran Emsisoft rescue and superantispware portable, both with up-to-date definitions and found numerous infections.  Customer had Norton Internet Security installed, but I decided to run AVG rescue overnight.  AVG was able to get definitions, showing that it was not a physical problem.  AVG found three trojans, but cleaning them did  not solve problem.  

Researched warning message on the web and followed advice from

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-networking/connection-status-unknown-the-dependency-service/92203623-b6d5-4301-8c79-00210abbcdd4

 and did a SFC scan and the Netsh winsock reset and the  netsh int ip reset.  After Reboot, the error changed - Now I get that I am not connected to any network and when I try to connect, it says windows cannot find any networks.  I then downloaded and ran Malwarebytes.  16 Infections, but no luck with  the problem.

Looking for Netwrok computers, it does find the router, another computer and the networked printer.

1: Network Connections in services is started
2: AV and Spyware can update their definitions
3: I can Ping
4: I can traceroute

I tried a wireless and another wired card with no luck

It is the end of the day for me and I am heading home, so don't expect an instant repply.  I will view answers tomorrow morning.  Thanks