Sorry to hear the issue is not really solved.
If you had not already done so, you might try the Power Reset as suggested earlier. This forces the system to go back to the disk to get its driver and software instructions. It may not fix the issue; it won't hurt and it will make sure the system is reading the best instructions that it has on board.
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SFC scan to fix system errors
You mght try the following to make sure the File System is healthy:
Using System File Checker (SFC) to Restore System Files
Note that you can run the scan more than one time -- this may help if the scan does find problems and cannot fix all of them. Also, the second run may find something the first run missed.
If the system comes back clean, this is good. It helps to eliminate the File System as a root cause.
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Remove and Reinstall the Audio Driver
The issue may not be directly related to the Audio -- or, assuming there is a relationship, there may be something odd going on that did not entirely clear when the Restore was applied.
If you like, you can uninstall and remove your Existing Audio driver and install it from the driver in your computer's website.
- Download and do not yet Install the following package:
sp37324 Realtek HD Audio Driver 6.0.1.5548
- Removeand Delete the existing Audio Driver
Control Panel > Device Manager > Open Sound, video and game controllers
HIghlight the IDT High Definition Audio CODEC (wording may vary slightly) >
Right-Click , select Uninstall and Click the box to Delete the driver
- Reboot / Restart the computer and log in
- Install the new IDT HD Audio Driver
If you have 'Admin' rights, you can Double-Click on the sp*.exe package to install it
Else
Highlight the file, Right-Click, Select 'run as Administrator', and install the driver
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Using Fixit to solve the installation issues
Though your system is not running on a 64bit Operating System, removing the programs that will not install correctly with
may help with the installation issues.
NOTE:
You will first want to Export your Favorites and / or Bookmarks if you can get the apps (browsers) to run at all.
- Use the Fixit program to remove the browser software
- Reboot the system after the initial removal and log in
- Retry the installation.
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Check the Network Setup
The network is a possible contributor to the problems. You may take a look a the following document and use it as a means to help you double check your setup:
Notebooks - Troubleshoot Internet Connection on a Wireless Network with Vista
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Commentary
- The "Administrator Permission" popup is as you suggested -- if you have this option turned off, then it should not bug you. It is not the recommended setting; it should work. If you still see the "You need to tell us it is OK to run" message, then Click to allow the installation to proceed.
- To remove the browser software so you can reinstall it: You can go into your C:\Programs where ever the browsers are living and remove the program folder(s) manually. Again, this is not how you should have to do it -- but it may help.
Good Luck!