Cannot search internet unless I have a web address

Hoping someone can help, I am unable to search no matter the web browswer (IE 8, Mozilla Firefox, Google, Bing, etc) I use unless I have a web address. This is particularly annoying when I want to seach for an image or don't have a website address and type in whatever I'm looking for in a search bar.

What my system says is "Internet Explorer cannot display the web page." Click to diagnose but that NEVER works!

I had a redirect/DNS virus at the beginning of the year which the fabuluous gurus here at Major Geeks helped me eradicate swiftly and easily.

I faithfully back-up my files, defrag, cclean my system, run Malewarebytes, have up-to-date Firewall, and anti-virus programs and make every attempt to be vigilant against future baddies attempting to attack my system.

This particular problem I was able to work around by re-booting my system then going back to the internet and searching just fine. After leaving my computer on say from morning to afternoon, going back and trying again...it would give me the above mentioned error and I would have to shut down and start up again. Seems today that unless I have a web address to type in I cannot seach for anything on any web browser in a search bar.

Has anyone had this and what steps do I take short of wiping my hard drive and re-installing all my software?

Much appreciation for any help you can offer.
Thank you,
Suzanne