Ie7 and Firefox vs. Newest Microsoft securitu update issues

My Laptop auto installed security updates on 09/10, since then I get page cannot be displayed 8 out of 10 attempts. Internet use has obviously been VERY frustrating considering that I got this laptop in June and did not have a choice as to whether or not I wanted Vista or XP. My husband has XP on his laptop (that he bought in february) and does not have this problem with the new windows updates. After much internet searching, on his PC, I found a site that stated I needed to remove my Norton Anti Virus, that did not help (so now I am vulnerable). I went to a different site and it stated that the latest Windows updates is not compatible with Vista????? Since I had already removed Norton I cannot verify if it was Norton it was not compatible with, or Vista, however, since my internet still did not work after removing Norton, but started to work AFTER REMOVING THE SECURITY UPDATES, you be the judge. SO, what do I do now once I get Norton installed (hoping that won't be a problem since I now need to resuse the security key and I had 382 day lefts of my AV service). I need to get updated security updates for Vista, too, but I must have internet connection as well. Help!! By the way, Norton states that it is an issue with my ISP (HUH?) though my husband and I are in the same room, using the same wireless network. He doesnt have issues. SO, right now, I am surfing net just fine on my laptop with vista, no AV software, and no new security updates from microsoft. Yay.

Thank  you, 

Shelia