I don't see an issue with AVG on 7. I do see an issue with McAfee see link. If you like AVG and are use to it then for sure consider it. Download it to the desktop and install it. If you restored to factory settings like you said McAfee should not be active, a perfect time to uninstall it. It should uninstall using programs and features, we don't even need to worry about that yet because no McAfee files are running yet. Note The McAfee removal tool is not removing some new versions of McAfee. "Enterprise Software Detected" please contact McAfee. Lets avoid that or it's off to Revo un installer. When you get home connect Ethernet cable to the laptop. Then try going to www.google.com. Only go there just see if Google opens. Let us know if you get this far and we can give you a direct link for AVG so you may install that. Then while McAfee is not active we can uninstall it as I mentioned. If you want I can look at a hijack log for you after.

Try a simple reboot first or restart, If that does not work then; un plug the router and modem. Then plug modem in wait for 30 sec. Then plug router in. See if that helps. I can't understand how it's possible to lose a network driver on a new machine or any machine for that matter drivers just don't disappear!

"I like to hear it from the horse's mouth. If the FBI is saying something, I want to hear it from the FBI, not through someone who thinks they can interpret and explain what someone else says better than me. This threat does indeed appear to be real, but like most of these type announcements made in the press, they are sensationalized and often exaggerated to attract readers. See http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911/DNS-changer-malware.pdf . Note you don't need any special tool to ensure you are not affected. You can easily check via a Cmd prompt and ipconfig /all, or via the your networking Control Panel applet. The key here is "practicing safe computing". To remain clean and safe, keep your system updated and patched with the latest security updates and system patches, scan your system regularly with an able anti-malware solution (I use MSE), use a capable computer based firewall (I use Windows Firewall) and lastly, avoid risky behavior like visiting illegal porn or gambling sites, or participating in filesharing via torrents or through P2P sites that facilitate illegal filesharing." quoted from a friend of mine.

the 100Mbps is not telling you your internet speed connection it is simply telling you the ability of your router, most today are 10/100Mbps rated. This might help you understand that 10/100 devices mine also says 100 there likely everyone in here would have 100 there too. cox has multiple tiers of service you pay x amount of money for x amount of speed you would need to check your contract to know which tier you are paying for to know if you are getting the proper speed. I am also on cox and if you look way up in this old post you will see my speed test which is much much faster than yours so I would assume you have a lower tier of internet service with them. I do not have any other services with them so I have no bundle just strictly internet.