hi csk44, windows defender is antispyware/malware. Just check in Control / windows firewall, that it is turned off. Also check wile in the Control panel / Security center / Malware Protection, to see what Resident scanners (scans in the background) are active. I assume that your antivirus will not be up to date, as you quoted nothing is updating. If this was me i would now look at going to Esets website and doing an online scan as thier online scanner is kept up to date. Before doing the online scan disable your Resident scanners you should be able to do this in your AV's control panel under settings or even uninstall your anti virus and install a better option after your online scan. Eset Nod 32 gives a free 30 day trial as well as Kaspersky (but we need to sort out your updating problem before installing a new AV) If you want to check for CONFICKER you can run a scan using Malichous Software removal tool (its last update was a week or two ago so hopefully it is up to date) To run this scan go into start menu / Accessories / Run. Type in (lower case) mrt.exe then click ok. These are the steps i would be taking with the information you have given, others will have different methods but let us know how you get on and we can work on where to go next
no antivirus will be any good if it is not up to date, this is why i suggested the online scan i am assuming that is what crashed in mid scan? the only other thing i can think to do (other than formatting your hard disk and reinstalling windows) is to remove your hard drive to another clean computer with a good antivirus and use that to scan it. check out the post at the start of SYSTEM SECURITY / VIRUS REMOVAL TECHNIQUES / posted by merkat106 or try posting your problem with the INFECTION RESOLVING TEAM one of those guys may have some more ideas, i only wish i could have been of more help, best wishes i hope your troubles are resolved soon