Javascript

I had Vista with trial version of Mcafee. I download Asquared and started problems. It shut down my IE7. I couldnt figure it out then. So I uploaded IE8. Also somewhere along the line, somewhere, I think I disabled javascript. Now pictures and movies wont open in mails and in youtube. In tools on checking i found everything related to javascript was enabled. I m also having probs with talkshoe. during downloading it said something about javascriptVm and that i could use some other. but where? and which one? i have no clue what is related to what.Is there anyway you can help.
Also though all my Vista updates download without a problem I m vary about updating any microsoft related stuff. Before I got my laptop there was some problem and word, powerpoint etc were reloaded. Till i get all my paperwork there is no way to find out if its original. IE8 needs a microsoft update. Should i go though with it. Or wait till Jan till I find out.