unable to update various programs over the internet

Hi! I've been an anonymous reader here off and on. I've learned quite a bit from your quite competant and knowledgeable helpers and members. Thank you. I find myself in somewhat of a quandry, and would rather be outside fly fishing, but alas I told my neighbor Larry that I'd help him out with his lap top issue. In the spirit of "How to ask for Help" I offer the following. I don't know where...