Too many processes open, no volume and 'shallmanager database is corrupt or missing'

When I wanted to play a DVD, I realised that the sound quality was very bad. Strangely today there is no more volume at all, neither on DVD, nor on CD nor the normal computer default sound. After having consulted this forum I have tried to install R80617 and R143248, but it did not help. In the case of R80617 it said that this was not for the version installed on the computer. As to R143248 it said that the driver could not be found and that I should reboot - but after having done the rebooting several times, there is still the same message. what to do?

 

Further, since I have too many open processess (over 70) I wanted to delete some programmes. But this is not always possible and the following message comes up 'shellmanager database is corrupt or missing'. Again the question what to do?

 

Finally, since I don't have many more extra programmes on the computer than the standard ones I wonder why so many processes are open. Could you help?